Neither can I

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Neither can I" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express agreement with a negative statement made by someone else, indicating that you also cannot do something. Example: "I can't swim." "Neither can I."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

I just said: "If he can't sleep here, neither can I", and that was that.

The Guardian

"And frankly, neither can I".

The New York Times - Sports

Tragically, neither can I.

The Guardian - Opinion

No, neither can I.

The Guardian - Opinion

In this new world, neither can I.

The New York Times

But you can't, and neither can I".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

If the England management cannot split them, then neither can I. Simpson I see as a super specialist – a No9 who comes off the bench with 20 minutes to go to cause havoc when legs are tiring.

The Guardian - Sport

Even Stephen Colbert couldn't help fawning over these two the other night --neither can I.

Huffington Post

Neither can I. Sagacious?

The Guardian

M: Neither can I. P: Now we can begin.

The New Yorker

Neither can I. 7) Pittsburgh (7-7) has lost four of its last five to drop out of playoff position.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Neither can I" to concisely express agreement with a negative statement, ensuring clarity and avoiding repetition. For example, if someone says, "I can't understand this," you can reply with "Neither can I" to show that you share their confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "Neither can I" in response to positive statements. This phrase is specifically designed to agree with negative statements. In response to a positive statement, use "Me too" or "So can I" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Neither can I" serves as a negative concord or agreement marker. It's used to express that the speaker shares the same inability or negative condition as someone else. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Neither can I" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express agreement with a negative statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It functions as a negative concord, creating a connection between speakers by indicating shared inability or experience. While suitable for various contexts, it's crucial to avoid using it in response to positive statements. Alternatives like "I can't either" or the informal "Me neither" offer slight variations in formality. This phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, indicating its broad applicability in conveying shared limitations or sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Me neither

A more informal and direct way of expressing the same sentiment.

I can't either

A slightly more explicit way of stating that you also cannot do something.

Nor can I

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing agreement with a negative statement.

Same here

A brief and informal way to indicate that you have the same experience or feeling.

Likewise

A versatile term, suitable for mirroring various statements, but slightly less direct.

I'm in the same boat

Implies shared difficulty or inability.

I feel the same way

Focuses on agreement in feeling or opinion rather than ability.

That makes two of us

An informal way to indicate agreement and shared experience.

I share that sentiment

A more formal way to express agreement with an opinion or feeling.

I concur

A very formal and concise way to express agreement.

FAQs

How does "Neither can I" compare to "Me neither"?

Both phrases express agreement with a negative statement. "Me neither" is more informal and suitable for casual conversation, while "Neither can I" is slightly more formal and appropriate for broader contexts.

When is it incorrect to use "Neither can I"?

It's incorrect to use "Neither can I" in response to a positive statement. Use it only to agree with negative statements. For example, if someone says, "I can't swim," you can say "Neither can I." However, if they say, "I like swimming," you should not respond with "Neither can I."

What are some alternatives to "Neither can I"?

Alternatives include "I can't either", "Nor can I", or simply "Me neither", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

How can I use "Neither can I" in a sentence?

Use "Neither can I" immediately after someone makes a negative statement. For example: Person A: "I haven't finished the report yet." Person B: "Neither can I."