Fill in the blanks.
1. ‘I can’t swim.’ ‘………………….. can I.’
After a negative idea, we can add another negative idea with neither.
2. Ruth didn’t turn up. Margaret didn’t ……………………………
After mentioning a negative idea, we can add another negative idea by using ‘not…either’.
3. James didn’t pass the test. ………………………… did Samuel.
We can use neither / nor to mean ‘not … either’ after a negative idea.
4. ‘I don’t like opera.’ ‘…………………………..’
‘Neither do I’ means the same as ‘I don’t either.’
5. Our main need is not food, ………………………. jobs. It is education.
Nor can follow not. It is more emphatic than or.
6. James was not at home, and ………………………… was Alice.
Neither or nor can be used here
7. He neither smiled ………………………… looked at me.
Neither…nor is used to join two negative ideas.
8. She not only sings; she ………………………… dances.
Also goes in mid position. As well and too usually go at the end of a clause.
9. She is not only rich; she is famous ……………………………
As well or too is possible here.
10. ‘She is pretty.’ ‘Her sister is …………………………’
As well can be used in short answers. Also is not normally used in short answers.
11. It is a small house. …………………………, it needs a lot of repairs.
Also can go at the beginning of a clause to refer to the whole clause.
12. She is neither intelligent ........................................ smart.
Answers
1. ‘I can’t swim.’ ‘Neither can I.’
2. Ruth didn’t turn up. Margaret didn’t either.
3. James didn’t pass the test. Nor did Samuel.
4. ‘I don’t like opera.’ ‘Neither do I / I don’t either.’
5. Our main need is not food, nor / or jobs. It is education.
6. James was not at home, and neither / nor was Alice.
7. He neither smiled nor looked at me.
8. She not only sings; she also dances.
9. She is not only rich; she is famous as well / too.
10. ‘She is pretty.’ ‘Her sister is as well.’
11. It is a small house. Also, it needs a lot of repairs.
12. She is neither intelligent nor smart.
