How to know when to use “either” or “too”

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on whatsapp

Are you working from home? I’ve been working from home for the past six years, but since we officially started this Movement Control Order, it feels a little different.

Well first, my husband is home (which is great because we get to spend more time together). And the kids are in the house the whole day, too. So this isn’t something that’s normal, even for me. It can get a little hectic in here. ?

I hope you and your family are taking good care of yourselves during this time of uncertainty.

Anyway, since it’s Thursday, we have a new lesson for you!

Last week I wrote about the difference between “also” and “too”.

If you haven’t read that post, you can read it here.

Today, I want to continue with another grammar rule related to it.  

In that post, I mentioned that you can use “too” for positive statements only. If it’s a negative statement, you wouldn’t use “too”.

A positive statement states something as is. A negative statement is used to express an opposing idea.

For example:

i) Positive statement: Sin Yung likes watching horror movies.

Because this is a positive statement, you can use “too” to agree with it:

I like watching horror movies, too.

ii) Negative statement: Sin Yung doesn’t like watching horror movies.

This is a negative statement, so you can’t use “too”. You can use “either”, “as well” or “also”.

I don’t like watching horror movies, too.
I don’t like watching horror movies, either.
I don’t like watching horror movies as well.
I also don’t like watching horror movies.

Here are more examples of negative statements and the correct way to make agreeing statements.

i) Jerry has never been to Italy.

I have never been to Italy, too.

I have never been to Italy, either.
I have never been to Italy as well.
I have also never been to Italy.


ii) Laila doesn’t like sushi.

Salimah doesn’t like sushi, too.
Salimah doesn’t like sushi, either.
Salimah doesn’t like sushi as well.
Salimah also doesn’t like sushi.

So I hope this has been helpful. Just remember, when you’re agreeing to a negative statement, don’t use “too”. You can use “either”, “as well” and “also”.

Do you want to speak English with confidence?

Sign up to join our free video training, Speaking with Confidence. We’ll send you seven tips to your email address!

Here’s Tip 1 for a sneak peek of what’s in store for you.

Hi there!

We’re Azimah, Amnah and Aisya from Malaysia. We created My English Matters as a digital platform to help Malaysians and second language learners with their English proficiency.

You may have seen us on: