I don't like either / I like neither

hirashin

Sempai

Donor

8 Apr 2004

2,721

63

• 15 Apr 2018

• #1

Dear native English speakers,
When someone asks you, "Which do you like better, coffee or tea?",
would both sentences be all right for the answer?
(a) I like neither.
(b) I don't like either.

Thanks in advance.

Hirashin

 

mdchachi

Moderator

Moderator

Twenty-year veteran

6 Mar 2003

9,321

9,450

• 9 May 2018

• #2

Both are fine. The most natural answer is "neither one." That's an incomplete sentence though.

 

M

Michael2

後輩

4 Jan 2018

297

45

• 9 May 2018

• #3

I think in England you'd normally use a negative verb so "I don't like either of them," would be most natural. Personally I can't stand "like better" as it doesn't make sense when you think about it. "Which do you prefer?" or "What do you like more?" sounds more natural to me.

 

hirashin

Sempai

Donor

8 Apr 2004

2,721

63

• 9 May 2018

• Thread starter
• #4

Thanks for the help, mdchachi and Michael2.

Michael2, is it that you would not use "like better" in Britain?
Would it be all right to say "Which do you like more, coffee or tea?" and "Which do you prefer, coffee or tea?"

 

M

Michael2

後輩

4 Jan 2018

297

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• 10 May 2018

• #5

I don't think so, no. Tbh that exact sentence comes up so rarely in conversation that I'm not sure. I will ask my students tomorrow.