What Does "as well as" Mean?
- Grammatical function: "As well as" primarily functions as a multi-word conjunction or preposition expressing addition. It is used to introduce extra information that is usually subordinate to the main point, similar to "in addition to" or "along with."
- Typical sentence position: It most frequently appears in the medial position to link two nouns, adjectives, or phrases. However, it can also appear in the initial position to introduce a parenthetical thought, or occasionally in the final position when used as a comparative.
- Register: This expression is neutral to formal. It is widely used in academic, journalistic, and professional writing, as well as in standard spoken English.
How to Use It
- Syntactic patterns: It typically joins two elements of the same grammatical category (noun + noun, adjective + adjective). When followed by a verb, the verb usually takes the -ing (gerund) form (e.g., "As well as walking, he runs").
- Punctuation rules: When "as well as" introduces a non-essential parenthetical addition in the middle of a sentence, it is often set off by commas. If it is used as a simple coordinator or a direct comparison, commas are usually omitted.
- Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence to emphasize the additional information. While it functions like "and," it is grammatically distinct because it does not create a compound subject.
- What sounds unnatural: Using "as well as" to join more than two items in a simple list (e.g., "A, B, as well as C") can feel clunky; "and" is preferred for the final item in a series.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from as well as on Ludwig.guru.
"It provides income, as well as steaks." — The New Yorker
"Expertise as well as capital is supplied." — The Economist
"Both are mothers as well as professionals." — The New York Times
"He can block as well as anybody." — The New York Times - Sports
"This was humiliating as well as painful." — The New Yorker
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| in addition to |
Very common in formal writing; clearly subordinates the following noun. |
| along with |
Slightly more informal or physical; suggests accompaniment. |
| plus |
Informal; used for quick additions in speech or casual notes. |
| coupled with |
Formal; suggests that two things are working together to produce a result. |
| not only |
Used in the "not only... but also" construction for rhetorical emphasis. |
| besides |
Often used to add a final, clinching argument or fact. |
Common Mistakes
- Subject-Verb Agreement: Learners often mistakenly use the singular form of a verb when 'as well as' joins two subjects, whereas the verb should actually agree only with the first subject. For example, "The captain, as well as the players, is (not are) arriving."
- The "And" Substitution: Avoid using "as well as" as a direct replacement for "and" in a series of three or more items. It is best used to link two items where the second is an additional point.
- Verb Form Confusion: Using a base verb instead of a gerund after the phrase when it starts a sentence (e.g., "As well as eat..." should be "As well as eating...").
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| as well as |
Addition / Comparison |
Neutral to Formal |
Medial / Initial |
FAQs
Can "as well as" be used at the beginning of a sentence
Yes, as well as can appear in the initial position to introduce an additional piece of information before the main clause. When used this way, the phrase is followed by a comma, and if a verb follows immediately, it must be in the gerund (-ing) form.
What is the difference between "as well as" and "and"
While both express addition, and creates a compound subject that requires a plural verb, whereas as well as introduces a parenthetical addition. This means as well as does not change the number of the subject, leaving the verb to agree only with the first noun.
How does "as well as" affect subject-verb agreement
Learners often mistakenly use the plural form of a verb when as well as joins two subjects, whereas the verb should actually agree only with the first subject. For instance, in the sentence "The teacher as well as the students is happy," the verb stays singular because it ignores the addition.