All Ears English Podcast – Episode 2555: "Capture the Connection When You Agree with Someone in English"

Hosts: Lindsay McMahon & Michelle Kaplan
Date: January 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode centers on helping ESL learners master the art of expressing agreement in English conversation. Lindsay and Michelle dive into the vocabulary and phrases that signal connection and common ground—crucial skills for building rapport in everyday social situations. The main focus is on diverse, natural ways to agree—beyond just “me too”—and on using these moments to deepen conversations and relationships.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Agreement in Connection

• Agreement acts as a “connection moment” (03:14), helping speakers bond over shared opinions, interests, and experiences.
• “We connect with people by sharing our opinions, our interests, right? Trying to find things in common. So this is really about agreeing and finding common ground.” – Michelle (04:15)

Common Phrases to Express Agreement

1. "Me too"

• The most basic and direct way to show you agree or share the same feeling/experience.
• Example:
  • A: "I really love this restaurant."
  • B: “Me too. It’s delicious.” (05:36)

2. "Same here"

• Slightly less direct, but natural and conversational.
• Example:
  • A: "I love this song."
  • B: "Same here." (06:24)

3. "So do I"/"So are we"

• Used to agree with positive statements (especially for requests or shared habits).
• Example:
  • A: "I want to stop for coffee."
  • B: "So do I. I'm exhausted." (06:36)

4. "Neither do I" / "Me neither"

• “Neither do I”: Used to agree with negative statements.
• “Me neither”: Informal, casual, equivalent to “neither do I.”
• Example:
  • A: "I don’t think we need to leave early."
  • B: "Neither do I. The traffic is pretty calm at 11:00 a.m." (08:51)
  • A: "I don’t usually make phone calls."
  • B: "Me neither. I prefer to text." (12:55)

5. Pronunciation Options for "Either/Neither"

• Both “ee-ther/nee-ther” and “eye-ther/nye-ther” are correct; just pick your favorite. (07:09–08:00)
• Memorable moment: Michelle jokes about being “ambidextrous” with either pronunciation. (07:23)

6. "Neither am I," "Neither is he," etc.

• Use with the verb "to be" to match the sentence structure.
• Example:
  • A: "I’m not going to the party."
  • B: "Neither am I. It’s too late." (14:33)

Grammar Tips and Common Errors

• “Either do I” is not used—it’s not grammatically correct. Use “Neither do I” instead for negatives. (08:18)
• When agreeing, always match the grammar: i.e., verb tense/form must align ("do", "am", etc.). (14:48)
• Distinction: The term “negative sentence” refers to the grammatical negative (not a negative opinion). (14:56)

Using Agreement to Build Conversation

• Don’t just say “me too” and end the conversation; use that moment to add more or ask questions.
• “Normally you wouldn’t just say, me too, and then be quiet. You would say something.” – Lindsay (16:42)
• These small phrases help “get the ball rolling” for deeper conversations and new friendships. (18:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It means I agree with you. Like, I see that thing the same way that you do. Uh, it's the same for me. I feel the same. I've experienced the same thing you have... It is a connection moment.” – Lindsay (04:32)
• "Me neither is... the same idea as neither do I. But you will hear people say me neither. It's less formal. It's more conversational." – Michelle (11:46)
• “We could say they punch above their weight. Right? They punch above their weight.” – Lindsay, introducing a new idiom and topic for a future episode. (18:52)
• “These are really kind of teeny, tiny little phrases, they're very important and can really help you build that connection.” – Michelle (18:33)
• Lighthearted banter about preference for texting vs. calling, adding human connection and cultural nuance to the language tips. (13:04–13:51)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [03:14]: Listener question introduction
• [04:32]: Explaining the meaning and importance of “Me too”
• [06:12]: Introducing “Same here” and “So do I”
• [07:09–08:00]: Pronunciation of “either/neither”
• [08:18]: Why “Either do I” isn’t used
• [08:51]: Role-play using “Neither do I”
• [11:46]: Introduction of “Me neither”
• [14:33]: Use of “Neither am I” (with “to be”)
• [15:54]: Extended party role-play using all agreement phrases
• [18:33]: Reflection on how agreement fosters deeper connections
• [19:19–19:48]: Key takeaway: Don’t stop at agreement—keep the conversation going!

Summary Takeaways

• Use a variety of agreement phrases ("me too," "same here," "so do I," "neither do I," "me neither"), and match the grammar and tone to the context.
• These phrases, while small, are fundamental for building rapport—they punch above their weight.
• After expressing agreement, add more or ask a question to deepen the conversation and connection.
• Don’t overthink pronunciation (“either/neither”). Pick what feels comfortable.
• These moments of agreement are opportunities—make the most of them in building relationships and practicing your English!

For further practice: Check out their recommended episode “Learning English is not like pulling teeth” to learn more idioms for conversation (19:12).

The episode’s tone is friendly, upbeat, and practical—encouraging ESL learners to focus on connection, not perfection, and to enjoy the nuance and fun in everyday English.