Question about the usage of "neither"

Question

Can I use the word "neither" in spoken English in the following manner (check the dialogue below please):

A: I didn't do my homework.

B: "We neither"

Although I know that in writing this would be incorrect,I have heard many people say "me neither" in spoken English. Would I sound too awkward if I say what I have in B? please let me know.

RandomGuy · Accepted Answer

apatzinguenseWould I sound too awkward if I say what I have in B?

No, I don’t think so. It may be unusual, but it would be no less acceptable than me neither in informal speech.

Fivejedjon · Answer

apatzinguense "We neither"

It sounds very unnatural. to me. Most native speakers would say, "Neither/nor did we", in my opinion.

Fivejedjon · Answer

I have just had a look in the Corpus of Contemporary English. There are 182 citations for neither + auxiliary verb + we.There are none for (in the usage we are talking about) we neither.

RandomGuy · Answer

fivejedjonI have just had a look in the Corpus of Contemporary English. There are 182 citations for neither + auxiliary verb + we.There are none for (in the usage we are talking about) we neither.

I have to admit that I can’t recall hearing it once in my life, but I have an I-don’t-see-why-not attitude about it, at least where colloquial English is concerned. I think it sounds kind of humorous, actually.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Aspara Gus but I have an I-don’t-see-why-not attitude about it, at least where colloquial English is concerned. I think sounds kind of humorous, actually.

I see your point. I can see no good reason at all for saying that we can't say 'we neither'. However, it seems that we don't, and I think we have to tell learners this --even if we can't give a reason.

Apatzinguense · Answer

Thanks

Apatzinguense · Answer

Thanks. It does sound humorous!

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