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Do the following two sentences mean the same thing:

  1. I don't like either cherry juice or soda.

  2. I don't like cherry juice or soda either.

Although they both convey the idea that the speaker doesn't like cherry soda and also doesn't like soda, I don't think they are synonymous. While sentence 1 can be used as a standalone sentence, that emphasises that the speaker doesn't like both drinks, sentence 2 can only be used to agree with someone else who has expressed the same opinion. What are your thoughts?

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  • 1
    I don't like orange juice or apple juice. And I don't like cherry juice or soda either. Bring me a beer!
    – Hot Licks
    Jun 25, 2020 at 21:42
  • That’s what neither ...nor is for: I like neither cherry juice nor soda. But I disagree that 2 can only be used to agree. It can stand alone as a statement.
    – Jim
    Jun 26, 2020 at 0:09
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    Sentence 2 does need some context. It sounds like you've answered your own question about these sentences meaning the same thing.
    – livresque
    Jun 26, 2020 at 0:25
  • @livresque - I take #2 to mean the same as: I don’t like cherry juice or soda for that matter.
    – Jim
    Jun 26, 2020 at 0:39
  • What does require context is deciding whether it means “I don’t like cherry juice and I don’t like soda” or “I like neither cherry juice nor cherry soda”
    – Jim
    Jun 26, 2020 at 0:42

1 Answer 1

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2

I don't like cherry juice or soda.................= a negative statement

I like neither cherry juice nor soda..............= a negative statement

I don't like either.................= a negative statement in response to a question 'Do you like cherry juice or soda?

I don't like cherry juice or soda either.............= as negative statement in agreement with someone who says they don't like cherry juice or soda

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1
  • Synonymous with your fourth sentence: "Neither do I.".
    – LPH
    Jun 25, 2020 at 21:43

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