I do neither

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I do neither" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you do not engage in either of two mentioned options or actions. Example: "When asked if I prefer coffee or tea, I simply replied, 'I do neither.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Well, I do neither of those things well, so . .

The New Yorker

"If there's a strike, I do neither," said Matt Olmstead, the writer-producer who is the show runner for Fox's "Prison Break".

The New York Times - Arts

Theoretically, if I am not writing then I am free to read but, actually, I always feel vaguely guilty, and so, instead of writing (working) or reading (relaxing), I do neither".

The New Yorker

Fight or flight; but I do neither.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I did neither.

The New York Times - Sports

Not knowing which to do first — eat or sleep — I did neither.

The New Yorker

"I think I did neither of those things, so my goal was accomplished".

The New York Times - Sports

During the first few months I did neither because I felt queasy if I did so, but I continued to do both in moderation after that.

The New York Times

But I did neither.

Huffington Post

I did neither of these things.

Vice

She wanted me to listen to her and acknowledge her concern, but I did neither.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your context. While grammatically correct, "I do neither" can sound slightly formal or emphatic compared to "I don't do either".

Common error

Avoid using "I do neither" in extremely casual or informal settings, as it may sound stilted or overly formal. Opt for more common alternatives like "I don't do either" or "I'm not doing either" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I do neither" functions as a negative statement, indicating that the speaker does not perform either of two actions or options. It's a concise way to express a double negative, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I do neither" is a grammatically sound way to express that one does not engage in either of two previously mentioned actions or options. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English. While it's a correct form, "I do neither" carries a neutral tone, and it may sound slightly formal. More common and less stilted alternatives include "I don't do either" or "I am doing neither", depending on the desired nuance. The phrase is primarily found in news and media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I don't do either

More common and slightly less formal phrasing, replacing "neither" with "either" and using the contraction "don't".

I do not do either

A more formal version of "I don't do either", avoiding the contraction.

I choose neither

Focuses on the act of choosing not to do either, highlighting the decision.

I perform neither

Replaces the verb "do" with "perform", adding a touch of formality or emphasis.

I engage in neither

A more formal and verbose alternative, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

I partake in neither

A sophisticated alternative to indicate not participating in either option.

I reject both

More direct and forceful, indicating a clear refusal of both options.

I decline both

A polite and formal way of refusing both options.

Neither do I

Indicates agreement with a previous statement that rejects two options. Differs slightly in syntax.

I am doing neither

Emphasizes the present continuous aspect of not engaging in either option.

FAQs

Is "I do neither" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I do neither" is grammatically correct. It's used to indicate that you don't engage in either of two previously mentioned options or actions. However, it can sound more formal than alternatives like "I don't do either".

What does "I do neither" mean?

The phrase "I do neither" means that you are not performing or engaging in either of two things that have been discussed or presented as options.

When should I use "I do neither" instead of "I don't do either"?

Use "I do neither" when you want to sound slightly more formal or emphatic. "I don't do either" is generally more common and suitable for everyday conversation.

Are there other phrases similar to "I do neither"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "I choose neither", "I reject both", or "I decline both" to convey a similar meaning depending on the context.