In the following line of dialogue, does a comma need to be before either?
“Yeah, no kidding; and you can bet it wasn’t lost on Mrs. Trollope, either."
“Yeah, no kidding; and you can bet it wasn’t lost on Mrs. Trollope, either."
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- Thread starter Martydee
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Either is not parenthetical, so I don't see a need for a comma, but then I don't see a need for the word "either."
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It is one of those old-school commas, the kind we modern smart-parts tend to leave out. In this case I would toss a coin and then leave it in.
The next poster can point out the comma that I left out
The next poster can point out the comma that I left out
That might be, Arkie, because you aren't aware of the preceding dialogue. And Matera, I think I'm going to leave it in. Just because. Thanks.
Either, in that sentence, is the equivalent of too. Too goes with a positive statement and either with a negative one.
The comma is optional. Using one gives too/either more emphasis.
it was lost on Mrs. Trollope too
it wasn’t lost on Mrs. Trollope either
So that's our guide on where to look for the answer about the comma. Back in the day, I was taught a comma was required before too, but that's wrong. it wasn’t lost on Mrs. Trollope either
The comma is optional. Using one gives too/either more emphasis.
Thanks, FennelGiraffe. I do feel either should be emphasized in this case and so shall leave the comma in. That is, if nobody minds too terribly.
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