Not repeating yourself: short agreements (So do I / Neither can she), do so, one/ones, and if so/if not
I can agree, disagree and avoid repetition with the so/neither/do so toolkit.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
I can't stand laugh tracks. — Neither can I, and nor can my dad.
I can't stand laugh tracks. — Neither can I, and nor can my dad.
Asked to apologize publicly, the minister declined to do so.
Asked to apologize publicly, the minister declined to do so.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
English hates repetition — the toolkit:
| Tool | Example |
|---|---|
| So + aux + subject | I love jazz. — So do I. |
| Neither/Nor + aux + subject | She can't ski. — Neither can I. |
| do so | Asked to resign, he refused to do so. |
| one / ones | Which cake? — The lemon one. |
| if so / if not | Free tonight? If so, join us. |
Polarity check: agree with negatives via Neither, not *So don't I.
Apply this grammar in C1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesMe too after negative statements
Negative → Neither/Nor + aux + subject
So I do for agreement
Agreement = So + aux + subject
I can't stand laugh tracks. — Neither can I, and nor can my dad.
I can't stand laugh tracks. — Neither can I, and nor can my dad.
Chained negative agreement with neither/nor.
Asked to apologize publicly, the minister declined to do so.
Asked to apologize publicly, the minister declined to do so.
do so: formal substitution for the full verb phrase.
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Practice in course
Apply this grammar in C1 course exercises