The phrase as well means also or in addition. You use it to add another piece of information or to say that something is true for a second person or thing. For example: “She bought a dress, and she bought shoes as well.” It usually comes at the end of a clause or sentence, and it is common in both spoken and written English.
Quick Answer: Using ‘as well’
Place as well at the end of a sentence or clause to add an extra idea. It is less formal than furthermore but slightly more formal than too in some contexts. Use it when you want to say “also” without changing the rhythm of your sentence.
- Position: End of the sentence or clause.
- Meaning: In addition, also.
- Tone: Neutral to slightly informal. Works in conversation and most writing.
- Example: “I like coffee, and I enjoy tea as well.”
How ‘as well’ works in a sentence
Think of as well as a simple way to connect two similar ideas. It does not change the grammar of your sentence. You simply add it after the main information. Compare these two sentences:
- “He speaks French. He speaks Spanish as well.”
- “He speaks French, and he also speaks Spanish.”
Both sentences mean the same thing, but as well feels more natural in everyday speech. In writing, it helps you avoid repeating the word also too often.
Formal vs. informal use
As well is flexible. In informal conversation, it sounds natural: “I’m tired, and I’m hungry as well.” In formal writing, such as business emails or academic essays, it is acceptable but less common than in addition or furthermore. For example, in a formal email you might write: “Please review the attached report. The budget summary is included as well.” This is polite and clear.
Email and conversation context
In emails, as well works well for adding a final point. In conversation, it often signals that you are adding something you almost forgot. For example:
- Email: “Thank you for your time. I have attached the contract as well.”
- Conversation: “We need milk. And bread as well.”
Notice that in conversation, you can start a new sentence with And + as well. This is common and natural.
Comparison: ‘as well’ vs. ‘also’ vs. ‘too’
These three words are often confused. Here is a simple comparison table to help you choose.
| Word | Position in sentence | Tone | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| as well | End of clause or sentence | Neutral to slightly informal | “I will come as well.” |
| also | Before the main verb, or at the start of a sentence | Neutral, common in writing | “I also like swimming.” |
| too | End of clause or sentence | Informal, common in speech | “I like it too.” |
Use as well when you want a slightly more polished sound than too, but you do not want to sound stiff like furthermore. It is a good middle choice.
Natural examples of ‘as well’
Here are ten natural sentences that show how as well is used in real situations.
- “I finished my homework, and I cleaned my room as well.”
- “She can play the guitar and the piano as well.”
- “We visited the museum and the park as well.”
- “He is kind, and he is generous as well.”
- “The restaurant serves lunch and dinner as well.”
- “I need to buy milk and eggs as well.”
- “They invited me to the party, and they invited my brother as well.”
- “This book is interesting and informative as well.”
- “She speaks English and French as well.”
- “I will call you tomorrow and send an email as well.”
Notice that in each example, as well adds a second item or idea. It never appears in the middle of a sentence before the verb. That is a common mistake.
Common mistakes with ‘as well’
Even advanced learners sometimes make errors with as well. Here are the most frequent mistakes and how to fix them.
Mistake 1: Placing ‘as well’ in the middle of a sentence
Wrong: “I as well like pizza.”
Right: “I like pizza as well.”
Why: As well is not an adverb that goes before the verb like also. It always goes at the end.
Mistake 2: Using ‘as well as’ when you mean ‘as well’
Wrong: “I like apples as well as oranges.” (This means you like both equally, not that you like oranges in addition.)
Right: “I like apples, and I like oranges as well.”
Why: As well as is a different phrase that compares two things. As well simply means also.
Mistake 3: Forgetting the comma before ‘as well’ in a list
Wrong: “She bought a dress shoes as well.”
Right: “She bought a dress and shoes as well.”
Why: You need a conjunction like and before the final item when using as well to add to a list.
Mistake 4: Using ‘as well’ too many times in one paragraph
Wrong: “I went to the store as well. I bought milk as well. I saw my friend as well.”
Right: “I went to the store. I bought milk as well. I also saw my friend.”
Why: Repeating as well sounds unnatural. Mix it with also or too.
Better alternatives to ‘as well’
Sometimes you want to vary your language. Here are good alternatives depending on the context.
- Also – Use before the verb for a more formal tone. Example: “She also enjoys hiking.”
- Too – Use at the end for casual conversation. Example: “I want to go too.”
- In addition – Use at the start of a sentence for formal writing. Example: “In addition, we offer free shipping.”
- Furthermore – Use for very formal or academic writing. Example: “Furthermore, the data supports this conclusion.”
- Plus – Use in informal speech or notes. Example: “Plus, it’s cheaper.”
Choose as well when you want a natural, friendly tone that is not too casual and not too stiff.
When to use ‘as well’
Use as well in these situations:
- When you are adding a second idea to a sentence and you want to keep the sentence short.
- In conversation or informal emails where also might sound too formal.
- When you want to avoid repeating also multiple times in a paragraph.
- When you are listing things and want to emphasize the last item.
Do not use as well in very formal academic papers or legal documents. In those cases, choose in addition or furthermore.
Mini practice: Test yourself
Try these four questions. Answers are below.
Question 1
Which sentence is correct?
A) “I as well enjoy reading.”
B) “I enjoy reading as well.”
Question 2
Fill in the blank: “She bought a new phone, and she bought a case ____.”
A) as well as
B) as well
Question 3
Is this sentence correct? “He speaks Spanish, and he speaks French as well.”
Question 4
Rewrite this sentence using as well: “I also need to finish my report.”
Answers
Answer 1: B) “I enjoy reading as well.”
Answer 2: B) as well
Answer 3: Yes, it is correct.
Answer 4: “I need to finish my report as well.”
Frequently asked questions about ‘as well’
Can I start a sentence with ‘as well’?
No. As well almost always comes at the end of a sentence or clause. If you want to start a sentence with a similar meaning, use also or in addition. For example: “Also, I need to buy milk.”
Is ‘as well’ formal or informal?
It is neutral. It works in most situations except very formal academic or legal writing. It is slightly more formal than too and less formal than furthermore.
What is the difference between ‘as well’ and ‘as well as’?
As well means also and goes at the end of a sentence. As well as means in addition to and is used to compare two things. Example: “He likes cats as well as dogs” means he likes both equally. “He likes cats, and he likes dogs as well” means he likes dogs in addition to cats.
Can I use ‘as well’ in negative sentences?
Yes, but it is less common. For example: “I don’t like that movie, and I don’t like the sequel as well.” However, many native speakers prefer either in negative sentences: “I don’t like that movie, and I don’t like the sequel either.”
For more help with sentence structure, visit our Simple Sentence Examples category. If you have questions about other common phrases, check our FAQ page. To learn about our approach, see our About Us page. For corrections or suggestions, contact us through our Contact Us page. Our Editorial Policy explains how we create these guides.
Comments are closed.