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Calm-mind
Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 53
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Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:20 am Post subject: Neither he does? |
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It is correct to say as the following.
He plays the piano very well. �So he does.�
How about its negative version as follows, meaning kind of �that�s right?�
He does not play the piano well. �Neither he does.�
If it is not OK, what should I say? |
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asterix
Joined: 26 Jan 2003 Posts: 1654
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Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:40 am Post subject: |
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I used to know a man who said, "So he does" after many positive statements. I think it is a regional idiosyncrasy and probably old fashioned and not common.
I have never heard neither he does used like that after a negative statment.
I think you can just say, he plays the piano very well and that will suffice but if you want to reinforce it you can add, He really does!
With the negative version: He does not play the piano well. He really doesn't! |
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Calm-mind
Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 53
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Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 12:45 am Post subject: |
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| Thank you, asterix |
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Lorikeet

Joined: 08 Oct 2005 Posts: 1877 Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:57 am Post subject: Re: Neither he does? |
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| Calm-mind wrote: |
It is correct to say as the following.
He plays the piano very well. �So he does.�
How about its negative version as follows, meaning kind of �that�s right?�
He does not play the piano well. �Neither he does.�
If it is not OK, what should I say? |
In your first example,
"He plays the piano very well." says one person. The second person agrees, saying, "So he does." (or, "That he does.") It means, "That's true."
The first time I read it, I thought you were confusing it with "He plays the piano very well. "So does he" (Meaning there is a second person who also plays the piano very well.)
I think these two examples of "so" are not the same "so".
For me, "neither" doesn't work in your example.
I could also accept the following examples of agreement by the second speaker:
He drew a beautiful picture. So he did.
He is a good doctor. So he is.
However, I never teach these forms, and I think, as Asterix says, they aren't real common. |
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Calm-mind
Joined: 14 Nov 2006 Posts: 53
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Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 2:43 am Post subject: |
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| Thank you, Lorikeet . They are not so common... |
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