An as well as synonym is handy when a sentence already leans on and, also and too. In addition to, along with, besides, plus and together with all bring in an extra item, yet each carries its own tone and handles the following verb its own way.
Each of its three jobs gets another word for as well as here, shows the tricky subject and verb agreement, and covers the less known meaning as in she paints as well as her teacher does. For shorter adding words, the also synonyms page pairs nicely with this one.
Swatch at a glance
Best swaps
in addition to, along with, besides, plusPart of speech
Phrase used as a preposition or conjunctionMost formal
in addition to, coupled withMost casual
plus, on top ofGrammar note
The verb agrees with the first subject: the coach, as well as the players, is ready.Watch out
Including is not a synonym. It names part of a group, not something extra.Near opposites
except, excluding, rather than
As well as synonym options by job
As well as does three things. Find yours, then choose the swap.
| Job | Swaps | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| Adds an extra item | in addition to, along with, besides, plus | She speaks French besides English. |
| Joins equal parts | and, not only ... but also, both ... and | The app is both fast and cheap. |
| Means equally skillfully | just as well as, on a par with | He sings on a par with the lead. |
Plus, along with or coupled with: register
Our chip row runs from chatty on the left to polished on the right. Plus is fine in speech and quick messages but looks informal at the start of an essay sentence. And also is plain and safe. Along with feels friendly yet neat. In addition to is the default pick in reports. Coupled with links two causes or forces and suits analysis: rising rent coupled with low wages.
Verb agreement and verb forms after the phrase
The phrase does not create a plural subject. The verb follows the first noun.
- The manager, as well as two interns, is joining the call.
- The manager, along with two interns, is joining the call.
- The manager and two interns are joining the call.
When a verb follows as well as, the ing form is the safe choice: as well as teaching yoga, she runs the shop. In addition to and besides follow the same rule. Plus is looser and often takes a full clause: plus she teaches yoga.
Sentences rewritten
- We offer delivery as well as pickup becomes we offer delivery in addition to pickup.
- Bring a jacket as well as boots becomes bring a jacket along with boots.
- He is rude as well as late becomes he is not only late but also rude.
- The plan covers dental as well as vision becomes the plan covers dental plus vision.
- Heavy rain as well as strong wind closed the road becomes heavy rain coupled with strong wind closed the road.
- She cooks as well as her father becomes she cooks just as skillfully as her father.
From a cover letter: "I handled scheduling as well as payroll as well as client calls." Two uses in a row blur the list. Rewrite: "I handled scheduling and payroll, in addition to daily client calls." The main tasks sit together and the extra one gets its own space.
Swaps that seem to fit but do not
Including introduces examples inside a group you already named: fruit, including apples. As well as adds something outside it. See including synonyms for that sense.
Furthermore and moreover start a new sentence or clause, so they cannot sit inside a noun phrase. You can write Moreover, the price dropped, but not the price moreover the speed. Their own pages are furthermore synonyms and moreover synonyms.
Words that pull the other way
Linking phrases rarely have true antonyms, but some words subtract where as well as adds. Except and excluding remove an item: everyone except the drivers. Rather than and instead of replace instead of adding, which the instead synonyms page explains. Without marks absence: coffee without sugar.
All of these sit with other connectors on the transition words hub.
Frequently asked questions
Does as well as need commas?
Use commas when the phrase adds side information between the subject and verb: the mayor, as well as her staff, attended. When it closes the sentence, commas are usually unnecessary.
Is besides the same as as well as?
In the adding sense, yes: besides English, she speaks Spanish. Besides can also mean anyway when it opens a sentence, which is a separate job.
May a sentence begin with as well as?
You can, as in as well as running the shop, she coaches tennis. It sounds smoother with in addition to or besides in formal writing.
Is plus acceptable in an essay?
Plus is common in speech and casual writing, yet plenty of teachers flag it as informal as a sentence opener. Choose in addition to or along with for graded work.
What does as well as mean in she dances as well as him?
Here it compares skill, meaning just as skillfully as. Formal writing prefers as well as he does, with he rather than him.
Singular or plural verb after as well as?
Singular when the first subject is singular. The phrase adds information but does not join the subjects the way and does.