Either and neither

[Bassim]

I have a problem with using either and neither and mixing these adverbs. I am wondering if these sentences are correct:

1. The man could not explain how the accident happened, his wife couldn't either.
2. The man could not explain how the accident happened, nor could his wife.
3. Peter was unable to find a job and his brother was not either.
4 The phenomenon could not be explained either scientifically or in any other way.
5. He could not find support either from his friends or his family.
6. He could find support neither from his friends nor his family.

 

[5jj]

1. The man could not explain how the accident happened,; his wife couldn't either.
2. The man could not explain how the accident happened; nor could his wife.
3. Peter was unable to find a job, and his brother was not either.
4 The phenomenon could not be explained either scientifically or in any other way.
5. He could not find support [STRIKE]either[/STRIKE] from either his friends or his family.
6. He could find support neither from his friends nor his family.

You have the either/neither, but your punctuation needs attention.

 

[emsr2d2]

3. Peter was unable to find a job and his brother was not either.

This one sounds very unnatural to me. Even though "unable" means "not able", the mix of the two sounds rather odd.

"Peter was unable to find a job and so was his brother" would be what I would use with "unable".
"Peter was not able to find a job and nor was his brother" would be what I would use with "not able".
"Peter was not able to find a job; neither was his brother" works though.

I actually can't find a way to use "either" with "unable" or "not able".