Grammar confusions (It's very very urgent.)

Question

Hi,Is the sentence below OK. However, although the slide rule was an exceptionally effective tool that remained in common use for over three hundred years, like the abacus it also does not qualify as a mechanical calculator.Someone has told me that I should not use "however" and "although" together, and "like the abacus" requires commas on both sides, plus rather than "it also does not..." I should try "it does not... either" (i.e., Although the slide rule was an exceptionally effective tool that remained in common use for over three hundred years, like the abacus, it does not qualify as a mechanical calculator either.)

Feebs11 · Accepted Answer

HungryHi,

Is the sentence below OK.

However, although the slide rule was an exceptionally effective tool that remained in common use for over three hundred years, like the abacus it also does not qualify as a mechanical calculator.

Someone has told me that I should not use "however" and "although" together, and "like the abacus" requires commas on both sides, plus rather than "it also does not..." I should try "it does not... either" (i.e., Although the slide rule was an exceptionally effective tool that remained in common use for over three hundred years, like the abacus, it does not qualify as a mechanical calculator either.)

"However" implies some previous comment to which this statement is being contrasted - is this the case? If not, then start with "Although"

I would not use either "also or "either", and would omit the comma after "abacus".

Hungry · Answer

Dear Feebs,

So many thanks for the help. Here goes the full text

In 1621, an English mathematician and clergyman called William Oughtred used Napier's Logarithms as the basis for the Slide Rule (Oughtred invented both the standard rectilinear slide rule and the less commonly used circular slide rule). However, although the slide rule was an exceptionally effective tool that remained in common use for over three hundred years, like the abacus it also does not qualify as a mechanical calculator.

Could you please read it, and tell me if I should use "however" or not?

For further verification, please visit

http://www.maxmon.com/1600ad.htm

Buddhaheart · Answer

‘However’ is a conjunction and an adverb. ‘Although’ is a conjunction. Since ‘although’ functions as a conjunction connecting the adverbial clause with the main one, ‘however’ has no place in the sentence.

‘Like the abacus’ is a nonrestrictive (nonessential) element in the sentence, it must be set off by commas (commas in the beginning and the end of the phrase).

‘Also’ is an adverb. It modifies the verb ‘does’ in the sentence. ‘Either’ functions as an adverb placed at the end of the negative. I don’t believe it’s wrong grammatically the way ‘also’ is used in your sentence. I think it’s more a matter of preference or style.

Hungry · Answer

Thanks a lot Buddhaheart, but have you visited the website I put in the post above? Maybe that helps you understand what confusion and problem I am facing. That's an authentic website.

Feebs11 · Answer

I would leave out "However" and "also". The passage reads perfectly well without them.

Hungry · Answer

Many many many many thanks, Feebs!

By the way, what about the comma after abacus?

Grammar confusions (It's very very urgent.)

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