Comma with the word 'either'

I get confused when it comes to using commas before certain words. Is it correct to use the commas with either as...?

But he's fought at a much lower level. Not the biggest heavyweight in the world, either, at 6ft 2ins, he wears opponents down more than he bangs them out...

[MrPedantic]

Hello Pambele

In this usage, "either" is an adverb, and is used for emphasis after a negative statement.

In your example, I would not put a comma on each side of "either"; rather, I would say:

1. But he's fought at a much lower level. Not the biggest heavyweight in the world, either: at 6ft 2ins, he wears opponents down more than he bangs them out...

Or you could use a dash instead of the colon.

I would paraphrase "either" here as "moreover", or perhaps "I would stress".

All the best,

MrP

[galindez]

What confuses me about 'either' is basically this:

No, I can't either.

No, I don't either.

I don't go mountain climbing and I don't go mountain walking, either.

No, I don't like peaches or nectarines, either.


Note the commas after two 'eithers' and not with the other two. Why is this?

[MrPedantic]

Hello Galindez

There is some variation in comma (and semi-colon) usage among native speakers. Traditionally, the comma represents a slight pause; but many people now think of the comma as simply a visual sign of a break in the sense.

Thus some people would punctuate that last paragraph as follows:

There is some variation in comma and semi-colon usage among native speakers. Traditionally the comma represents a slight pause, but many people now think of the comma as simply a visual sign of a break in the sense.

Moreover, people tend to use fewer commas in shorter sentences. But it wouldn't be wrong to punctuate your sentences as follows:

No, I can't, either.

No, I don't, either.

However, you do have to be a little careful with commas in the vicinity of "either"; your last sentence, for example, if punctuated thus:

No, I don't like peaches, or nectarines either.

means "no, I don't like peaches; nor do I like nectarines".

All the best,

MrP

[galindez]

Originally Posted by MrPedantic

Hello Galindez
There is some variation in comma (and semi-colon) usage among native speakers. Traditionally, the comma represents a slight pause; but many people now think of the comma as simply a visual sign of a break in the sense.
Thus some people would punctuate that last paragraph as follows:

There is some variation in comma and semi-colon usage among native speakers. Traditionally the comma represents a slight pause, but many people now think of the comma as simply a visual sign of a break in the sense.

Moreover, people tend to use fewer commas in shorter sentences. But it wouldn't be wrong to punctuate your sentences as follows:

No, I can't, either.
No, I don't, either.

However, you do have to be a little careful with commas in the vicinity of "either"; your last sentence, for example, if punctuated thus:

No, I don't like peaches, or nectarines either.

means "no, I don't like peaches; nor do I like nectarines".
All the best,
MrP

Thanks Mr P. (Pambele also thanks you; I am two and the same but messed up my log in details).