As well as

USAGE SUMMARY

"as well as" is a perfectly correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to connect two related ideas and indicate that they are in addition to each other. For example: The museum offers educational programs for adults as well as children.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"As well as cold!

The New York Times

As well as unwise.

The New York Times - Books

As well as Tracy Kidder.

The New Yorker

As well as the budget".

The New York Times

As well as deeply reassured.

The New York Times

As well as just better songs.

The Guardian - Music

As well as a little ridiculous.

The New York Times

"As well as that they brought ability.

BBC

As well as computer games.

WikiHow

as well as Rep.

The Economist

It provides income, as well as steaks.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as well as" to connect grammatically similar elements for clarity. For example, "He enjoys reading books as well as writing poetry" is better than "He enjoys reading books as well as when he writes poetry."

Common error

Avoid using "as well as" to connect elements that are not grammatically parallel. Incorrect: "She likes to swim as well as dancing." Correct: "She likes swimming as well as dancing" or "She likes to swim as well as dance."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as well as" primarily functions as a conjunction, linking two or more elements within a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to connect related ideas, indicating that they are in addition to each other. It can connect nouns, verbs, adjectives, or phrases, maintaining grammatical parallelism.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as well as" is a versatile conjunction used to add information or elements to a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and widespread usage. It functions to connect grammatically similar parts of a sentence, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for various contexts, as seen in numerous examples from news sources, wikis, and scientific publications. When using "as well as", ensure grammatical parallelism and consider synonyms like "in addition to" or "along with" for stylistic variation. Avoid misusing it with unequal grammatical structures to maintain clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in addition to

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal prepositional phrase.

along with

Offers a slightly more casual alternative, implying accompaniment.

together with

Similar to "along with" but can also emphasize collaboration.

furthermore

Introduces an additional point in a more formal and emphatic way.

moreover

Another formal way to add information, emphasizing its significance.

besides

A more informal alternative to "in addition to".

plus

A very informal way to indicate addition, often used in spoken language.

and also

A more direct and simple way to add information.

not only... but also

Emphasizes both elements being connected, adding a stronger emphasis.

inclusive of

A more formal and less common way to express inclusion.

FAQs

How can I use "as well as" in a sentence?

Use "as well as" to connect two or more things that are being added together. For example: "He plays the guitar "as well as" sings."

What's the difference between "as well as" and "in addition to"?

"As well as" is generally used to connect grammatically similar elements, while "in addition to" can introduce a new element or aspect. The level of formality is different, with the second one more suitable for formal contexts.

Is it correct to start a sentence with "as well as"?

Starting a sentence with "as well as" is grammatically acceptable, although it's more common to find it in the middle of a sentence. When used at the beginning, it often serves to add an extra point to a previous statement.

What are some common synonyms for "as well as"?

Common synonyms for "as well as" include "along with", "together with", and "in addition to". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.