neither does he

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neither does he" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express agreement with a negative statement made about someone else. Example: "She doesn't like coffee, and neither does he."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Neither does he, of course).

The Guardian - Opinion

"Neither does he, the way he acts.

The New Yorker

Neither does he reduce the characters to caricature.

The New York Times

The script generally doesn't overexplain, and neither does he.

The New York Times

Neither does he ask that students read stories out loud.

The New York Times

But neither does he exempt himself from criticism.

The New Yorker

Neither does he have the luxury of time to learn.

The Economist

Neither does he, a year later, intend to.

The Guardian

But neither does he have to be content with daydreaming.

The New York Times - Arts

But neither does he want it to be his legacy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Since he does not necessarily eat even once a day, neither does he take his medication.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "neither does he", ensure that the preceding statement is indeed negative. This phrase is used to express agreement with a negative assertion, not a positive one.

Common error

Avoid using "neither does he" after a positive statement. This phrase is specifically designed to agree with negative assertions. If the original statement is positive, use "so does he" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither does he" functions as an elliptical construction expressing agreement with a preceding negative statement. It efficiently conveys that the subject mentioned ("he") shares the same characteristic or experience, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "neither does he" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate agreement with a negative statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it efficiently conveys shared characteristics or experiences, mirroring sentiments expressed by reputable sources. While "nor does he" and "he doesn't either" serve as alternatives, it's crucial to avoid using "neither does he" after positive statements, ensuring accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nor does he

Uses "nor" instead of "neither" to achieve the same effect.

he doesn't either

Rephrases the agreement using "either" at the end of the sentence.

he also does not

More formal and direct restatement of the negative agreement.

he doesn't do that either

Adds "do that" for emphasis or clarity depending on context.

that's not something he does either

Emphasizes that the action is not within his habits or capabilities.

he shares that characteristic

More descriptive; implies a shared trait or absence of a trait.

the same applies to him

Indicates the previous statement is also valid for him.

he is the same way

Informal; shows similarity in behavior or attitude.

it's the same with him

Informal; emphasizes a parallel situation.

he is no different

Highlights the lack of distinction between the subjects.

FAQs

How can I use "neither does he" in a sentence?

The phrase "neither does he" is used to express agreement with a negative statement. For example, if someone says, "She doesn't like coffee", you could respond, "neither does he" to indicate that he also does not like coffee.

What's the difference between "neither does he" and "nor does he"?

The phrases "neither does he" and "nor does he" are largely interchangeable and have the same meaning. Both are used to express agreement with a negative statement. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.

Is it correct to say "he doesn't either" instead of "neither does he"?

Yes, saying "he doesn't either" is a correct and common alternative to "neither does he". Both phrases convey the same meaning of agreeing with a negative statement.

Can I use "neither does he" to agree with a positive statement?

No, "neither does he" should only be used to agree with negative statements. To agree with a positive statement, you would use "so does he" or "he does too".