"As Well As" Usage Questions

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Jim Lang - 02 Nov 2006 14:20 GMT

I recall hearing somewhere that "as well as" should only be used to
refer back to something alread mentioned. For instance, it's OK to
write, "John and Bob went to the store," but not "John, as well as
Bob, went to the store."

OTOH, it is OK to write:

"Did John and Bob go to the store?. Yes, but Jim, as well as Bob and
John, also went to the store."

Is this correct? In addition, I was wondering if "as well as always"
always requires commas before and after a phrase containing it.

Thanks

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dontbother - 02 Nov 2006 14:56 GMT

> I recall hearing somewhere that "as well as" should only be used
> to refer back to something alread mentioned. For instance, it's
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Is this correct?

No, it's verbose, awkward, and ungrammatical (because of the
"also"). The answer has to be something like this: "Yes, and Jim
went with them".

> In addition, I was wondering if "as well as
> always" always requires commas before and after a phrase
> containing it.

According to Michael Swan's _Practical English Usage_, it's not
necessary to use commas to separate the phrase from the rest of the
sentence, but neither is wrong.

"Alice as well as Paula was shocked by the news"

should be as acceptable as

"Alice, as well as Paula, was shocked by the news."

There's just a slight difference in how they're spoken.

He owns a motorcycle as well as a racing car" definitely does not
call for commas.

I don't think there's any necessity for the something referred to
in the "as well as" phrase to have already been mentioned. I see no
reason for it.

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Robert Bannister - 03 Nov 2006 02:02 GMT

> I recall hearing somewhere that "as well as" should only be used to
> refer back to something alread mentioned. For instance, it's OK to
> write, "John and Bob went to the store," but not "John, as well as
> Bob, went to the store."

Looks like one of those "rules" that someone with nothing better to do
made up.

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Rob Bannister

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UC - 03 Nov 2006 02:55 GMT

> I recall hearing somewhere that "as well as" should only be used to
> refer back to something alread mentioned.

"No edition of the Kritik is very correct...the common editions, as
well those printed during, as after Kant's life-time, are exceedingly
bad'."

> For instance, it's OK to
> write, "John and Bob went to the store," but not "John, as well as
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Thanks

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jerry_friedman@yahoo.com - 03 Nov 2006 03:57 GMT

...

In my opinion, "A as well as B" requires A's role to be more newly
mentioned or more surprising than B's. Having mentioned B already is
an excellent way for that to happen but not the only one. Another:
"Many independent commentators as well as Democrats condemned President
Bush's remarks." We expect Democrats to condemn Pres. Bush whenever
possible; it's a bit more interesting when independents join in.

If A and B are appearing in the sentence on equal terms, just "A and B"
is better.

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Jerry Friedman

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Arcadian Rises - 03 Nov 2006 04:11 GMT

On Nov 2, 9:57pm, "jerry_fried...@yahoo.com"
<jerry_fried...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> > I recall hearing somewhere that "as well as" should only be used to
> > refer back to something alread mentioned. For instance, it's OK to
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> If A and B are appearing in the sentence on equal terms, just "A and B"
> is better.

I also think that "as well as" requires some contrast: "Democrats, as
well as Republicans...".

Otherwise, it would be just a more verbose substitute for "and".

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2006

"As Well As" Usage Questions