Neither have I

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Neither have I" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in response to a negative statement to indicate that the speaker shares the same sentiment or experience. Example: "I don't like spicy food." "Neither have I."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

No, neither have I.

The Guardian

"You haven't changed," Mr. McCain said, "and neither have I".

The New York Times

"My father has never forgotten that day, and neither have I," Ms. Rice said.

The New York Times

Actually you haven't got that either, and neither have I, because it has just gone to The Hurt Locker.

The Guardian - Film

I want you to know that my father has never forgotten that day, and neither have I.

The New York Times

He quotes some eminent authorities to prove his point, such as Russian pop singer Philipp Kirkorov (no, neither have I).

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Neither had I.

The New York Times - Travel

Until recently, neither had I.

The New York Times

You will not have heard of him — neither had I, neither has practically anyone.

The New Yorker

Neither had I, until that night in Marrakesh.

The New York Times - Style

Neither had I; but I was too taken aback even to reply.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Neither have I" to concisely agree with a negative statement, adding a touch of formality. Ensure the auxiliary verb matches the original statement's tense for grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the wrong auxiliary verb (e.g., "Neither I have" instead of "Neither have I"). Always mirror the auxiliary verb used in the initial negative statement to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Neither have I" is as a negative concord response. It's used to express agreement with a prior negative statement, indicating that the speaker shares the same experience or sentiment. As Ludwig AI shows, it's often used in conversations and written texts to show shared feelings or experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Neither have I" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to express agreement with a negative statement, as validated by Ludwig AI. It implies that the speaker shares the same experience or sentiment. While "me neither" is an informal alternative, "Neither have I" adds a touch of formality and is appropriate for a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media, as showcased by Ludwig's examples. Remember to mirror the auxiliary verb to avoid grammatical errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Me neither

A more informal and concise way to express the same sentiment.

I haven't either

A slightly more direct phrasing, emphasizing personal experience.

Nor have I

A more formal alternative, suitable for academic or professional settings.

I haven't experienced that either

Expresses the same idea but emphasizes the lack of personal experience of the subject discussed.

That's not happened to me either

Focuses on the event or situation not occurring to the speaker.

The same goes for me

Indicates a similar situation or experience.

It's the same with me

Expresses a parallel experience or situation.

I, too, have not

A more emphatic and slightly formal way to agree with a negative statement.

That's never happened to me as well

Highlights the lack of the specific event in the speaker's experience.

I share that experience

Expresses a shared lack of experience or sentiment.

FAQs

How to use "Neither have I" in a sentence?

Use "Neither have I" to agree with a negative statement where the verb is in a perfect tense. For example, if someone says, "I haven't seen that movie", you can respond with "Neither have I".

What can I say instead of "Neither have I"?

You can use alternatives like "Me neither", "I haven't either", or "Nor have I depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Which is correct, "Neither have I" or "Neither I have"?

"Neither have I" is the correct grammatical structure. "Neither I have" is incorrect because it does not follow the required subject-auxiliary inversion after "neither".

What's the difference between "Neither have I" and "I haven't either"?

Both phrases express agreement with a negative statement. "Neither have I" is slightly more formal and emphasizes the agreement through inversion, while "I haven't either" is a more direct and less formal way of expressing the same sentiment.