Eleptical Construction

1. Affirmative agreement (So or Too)

When indication that one person or thing does something and then adding that another does the same, use the word so or too. To avoid needless repetition of word the affirmative statement, use the conjunction and, followed by a simple statement using so or too. The order of this statement will depend on wheter so or too is used.

• When a form of the verb be is used in the main clause, the same tense of the verb be is used in the simple statement that follows:

Affirmative statement (be) + and + subject + verb (be) + too
So + verb (be) + subject
I am happy, and you are too
I am happy, and so are you

• When a compound verb (auxilary +verb) for example, will go, would go, has gone, have written, etc. Occurs in the main clause, the auxiliary of the main verb is used in the simple statement and subject and verb must be agree.

Affirmative statement + and + Subject + auxiliary only + too
So + auxiliary only + subject
They will work in the lab tommorow and you will too
The will work in the lab tommorow and so will you

• When any verb except be appears without any auxiliary in the main clause . the auxiliary do, does or did is used in the simple statement. The subject and verb must agree and tense must be the same.

Affirmative statement + and + Subject + do, does, or did + too
So + do, does, or did + subject
Jane goes to that school, and my sister does too
Jane goes to that school, and so does my sister

2. Negative agreement (Either or Neither)

Either and neither function in simple statements much like so and too in affirmative sentence. How ever either and neither are used to indicate negative agreement. The same rules for auxiliaries be and do, does or did apply.

Negative statement + and + subject + negative auxiliariy or be + either
Neither +positive auxiliary or be + subject
I didn’t see Jessica this morning, and John didn’t either
I didn’t see Jessica this morning, neither did John

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