The phrase “as well as” is a common english phrase used to indicate that two or more things are being discussed. It is often confused with the word “and” and incorrectly used in its place. While both words can be used to connect two subjects, they have very different meanings and should not be used interchangeably. To understand the difference between these two words, it is important to understand how each can be used correctly.
The phrase “as well as” should not be used as a synonym for “and”, nor should it be used to make subjects plural. It also takes an “-ing” verb when used correctly in a sentence. This article will discuss the proper use of the phrase “as well as” and provide examples of how it should be used in sentences. By understanding the correct usage of this phrase, you can improve your writing and avoid making mistakes that could confuse your readers.
It’s Not a Synonym for “And”
The phrase “as well as” is commonly misused in English, with many people using it to mean the same thing as simply saying “and.” This is incorrect and can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. It’s important to know when you should use “as well as” and when you should just stick with “and.”
Do Not Make the Grave Error of Using “As Well As” When You Should Just Use “And”
When used correctly, “as well as” has a different meaning from simply saying “and.” The phrase implies that one thing is being done in addition to something else, not necessarily at the same time. For example, if you say someone is eating apples as well as oranges, it implies that they are eating both fruits but not necessarily at the same time.
What Does “X As Well As Y” Mean?
When you use the phrase “as well as,” you are essentially saying that two or more things are being done together or in addition to each other. For example, if someone says they are going to eat apples as well as oranges, it means they are going to eat both apples and oranges either at the same time or separately. It does not mean that they will just be eating one fruit or the other; it implies both fruits will be eaten.
Example
To illustrate this further, let’s look at an example: Mary is going to go swimming as well as running today. In this sentence, Mary will be doing both activities either at the same time or separately. She may go swimming first and then go running afterwards, or she may do them simultaneously if she chooses. Either way, the phrase implies that she will be doing two activities instead of just one.
It’s important to remember that using “as well as” does not mean the same thing as simply saying “and.” If you misuse this phrase, it can lead to confusion and misunderstanding so it’s best to use it only when you really need to emphasize that two things are happening together or in addition to each other.
It Does Not Make Subjects Plural
When using “as well as” in a sentence, it is important to remember that it does not make the subject plural. This is an easy mistake to make because of its similarity to the word “and”, which does make the subject plural. It is important to be aware of this distinction so that you can avoid making mistakes in your writing.
Beware the Subject-Verb Agreement When You Use “As Well As”
The most common mistake made when using “as well as” is misusing the subject-verb agreement. When writing a sentence with “as well as”, you must remember that only one verb should be used for both subjects. For example, if you are talking about two people doing something, you would use the singular verb form: “John and Sarah swims as well as runs every day.” This is incorrect; instead, it should read: “John and Sarah swim as well as run every day.”
Example
To illustrate this point further, consider the following example: “My brother plays soccer as well as basketballs.” In this sentence, there are two subjects (my brother and basketballs) but only one verb (plays). The correct way to write this sentence would be: “My brother plays soccer as well as basketball.”
In summary, it is important to remember that when using “as well as” in a sentence, you should not make the subject plural by adding an extra verb or making any other changes. Additionally, be sure to use the correct subject-verb agreement for both subjects in the sentence. If you take these steps before submitting your work, you can avoid common mistakes related to using “as well as” in your writing.
It Takes an “-ing” Verb
When using the phrase “as well as”, it is important to remember that the verb following it must be in the gerund form. This means that instead of using a verb like “sing”, you would use “singing”. For example, if someone says “She writes as well as sings”, this is incorrect because the verb should be in its gerund form: “She writes as well as singing”.
She Writes As Well As Singing
The phrase “as well as” is used to indicate that something else is being done in addition to the first action. For example, if someone says “I play tennis as well as soccer”, this means they are playing both sports. When using this phrase with verbs, it is important to remember that only gerunds can follow it. Gerunds are words which end in -ing and are formed from verbs. Examples include talking, running, and swimming.
Questions About This One
If you are unsure whether a verb should be used in its gerund form or not when using the phrase “as well as”, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to help determine the correct answer. First, ask yourself if the two actions listed are happening at the same time or one after another. If they are happening at the same time, then the verb should be used in its gerund form; if not, then it should not be used in its gerund form. Second, ask yourself if both actions have an equal amount of importance or one action has more emphasis than another. If one action has more emphasis than another, then the verb should be used in its gerund form; if not, then it should not be used in its gerund form. Finally, ask yourself if both actions require an object or just one does; if only one requires an object then the verb should be used in its gerund form; if both require objects then it should not be used in its gerund form.
Using these questions will help ensure that you use the correct tense when using the phrase “as well as” with verbs so that your sentence is grammatically correct and conveys your intended meaning accurately.
Conclusion
The phrase “as well as” is a useful one, but it has specific uses and must be used correctly. It cannot replace the word “and” in all contexts, as doing so can lead to confusion or incorrect grammar. When using “as well as,” it is important to remember that it does not make the subjects plural, and it takes an “-ing” verb. With this knowledge, you can feel confident in using “as well as” correctly in your writing.
