Also and as well in the same sentence

As well as is one of the most frequent, still most misused, conjunction in administrative and academic texts. There are two mistakes commonly made regarding its use.

Two common problems

There are two common problems with the use of as well as. The first one relates to its meaning — as well as is often used as a synonym for and, which it is not.

Swedish is spoken in Sweden, as well as in parts of Finland. [incorrect]

The second problem concerns the form of the verb following as well as.  Can you find the mistakes in the following sentences?

John, as well as Mary, want to drop the course. [incorrect]
Running is healthy as well as it makes you feel good. [incorrect]
Sarah draws as well as designs clothes. [incorrect]

As well as is not a synonym for and

As well as cannot be used to mean and. The expression X as well as Y  means not only Y but also X (note that X and Y are reversed). While and simply conjoins two (or more) expressions, as well as places unequal emphasis on the two expressions — the expression preceding as well as carries a stronger emphasis than the expression following it.

John, as well as Mary, came to the party. [not only Mary but also John; emphasis on John]
The programme aims to recruit Sami students as well as students from other countries. [not only students from other countries but also Sami students; emphasis on Sami students]

Now you see that the sentence:

Swedish is spoken in Sweden, as well as in parts of Finland. [incorrect]

means:

Swedish is spoken not only in parts of Finland, but also in Sweden. [Imagine! What a surprise!]

It is therefore wrong to use as well as simply in order to avoid a repetition of and, as in the sentence below.

The university focuses on education, research and development, as well as dissemination. [incorrect if all three areas are equally important and none is to be emphasized]

as well as does not make subjects plural

In the sentence

John, as well as Mary, want to drop the course. [incorrect]

the verb want must agree with the noun preceding as well as in this case.

John, as well as Mary, wants to drop the course. [correct]

In other words, when as well as is part of the subject, the verb must agree with the noun before as well as.

Verbs after as well as come in –ing form

When we put a verb after as well as, we use the -ing form of the verb. (This might sound really strange to a non-native speaker, but the grammar books agree on this.)

The only difference is in their placement in the sentence. Too and as well are used at the end of a sentence. (As well is more formal than too). Also usually goes before the verb or adjective.

He likes chocolate.

• I also like chocolate.
• I like chocolate also.
• I like chocolate, too.
• I like chocolate as well.

The apples are delicious.

• The pears are also delicious.
• The pears are delicious also.
• The pears are delicious, too.
• The pears are delicious as well.

The expression as well as can be used in the middle of the sentence, and is similar to “and” or “not only… but also”:

The use of the words ‘also’ and ‘as well’ is an issue to some. The good thing is that they almost have the same exact meanings, whereby the mere switching of either term wouldn’t affect the sentence at all. It’s just that you have to place these terms, in their appropriate places as necessary.

Also is commonly used in writing, but is less common in speaking. Also occupies different positions in a sentence.

We use also in front position to emphasise what follows or to add a new point or topic:

It’s very humid. Also, you can easily get sunburnt.

[on the telephone]

OK, I’ll phone you next week and we can discuss it then. Also, we need to decide who will be going to Singapore.

We use also in the normal mid position for adverbs, between the subject and main verb, or after the modal verb or first auxiliary verb, or after be as a main verb. In this position, the meaning of also usually connects back to the whole clause that comes before:

She works very hard but she also goes to the gym every week.

I’ve been working in the garden this week, and I’ve also been reading a lot.

In end position, also normally connects two phrases. We use as well and too instead of also, in end position, especially in speech:

She contacted him in the office but he didn’t answer the phone. His mobile phone was silent also. (or His mobile phone was silent too. or … was silent as well.)

As well

Spoken English:

As well is much more common in speaking than in writing, and is more common in speaking than also.

As well almost always comes in end position:

[In a restaurant. Customer (A) is ordering from a waiter (B)]

A:

I’ll have steak please.

B:

Yes.

A:

And I’ll have the mixed vegetables as well.

See also:

• As well (as)

Too

We usually put too in end position:

Gill’s having chicken. I’ll probably have chicken too.

She looks really tired and she must be really hungry too.

Too can occur immediately after the subject, if it refers directly to the subject. It does not normally occur after a modal or auxiliary verb. We sometimes write commas before and after too:

I too thought she looked unwell.

We, too, have been very pleased to receive the prize on her behalf.

Not: We have too been very pleased …

Too is especially common in responses to fixed expressions such as giving good wishes, and in responses consisting of a single object pronoun:

Can we use also and as well in the same sentence?

Is also and as well the same?