Language/English/Vocabulary/Also,-as-well-and-too

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Also, as well and too

Position[edit | edit source]

"Also", "as well" and "too" have similar meanings, but they do not go in the same position in clauses. "Also" usually goes with the verb, in mid-position; as well and too usually go at the end of a clause. "As well" and "also" are less common in American English. "Also" is more commonly used in written language than "as well". "Too" is more emphatic than "also" or "as well". 

Examples[edit | edit source]

  • She not only sings; she also plays the piano.
  • She not only sings; she plays the piano as well.
  • She doesn’t just sing she plays the piano too.  

"As well" and "too" do not go at the beginning of a clause. "Also" can go at the beginning of a clause to give more importance to a new piece of information. 

Example[edit | edit source]

  • It's a nice house, but it's very small. Also, it needs a lot of repairs. 

References[edit | edit source]

These words can refer to different parts of a clause, depending on the meaning. 

Consider the sentence: We work on Saturdays as well. This can mean three different things:

  • a. (Other people work on Saturdays, and) we work on Saturdays as well.
  • b. (We do other things on Saturdays, and) we work on Saturdays as well.
  • c. (We work on other days, and) we work on Saturdays as well.

When we speak, we show the exact meaning by stressing the word or expression that also / as well / too refers to. 

Imperatives and short answers[edit | edit source]

"As well", "too" and "also" are used in imperatives and short answers.

Examples[edit | edit source]

  • Give me some bread as well, please. (More natural than "Also give me . . ." This is used colloquially, but don't try it!)
  • ‘She's nice.’ ‘Her sister is as well.’ ("Her sister is also." is used colloquially in speech and tends to be used in British English.)
  • "I’ve got a headache." "I have too." is more common in American English. "I have also." or "I have as well." is more usual in British English.

("I also have." is highly colloquial British English.)  

In informal speech, we often use "Me too" and "Me also" as a short answer.

Example[edit | edit source]

  • "I ’m going home." "Me too."
  • "I ’m going home." "Me also."

"Me also" is almost exclusively British English and is more colloquial. It is possible to hear "Me as well". However, this is highly colloquial. Don't try it!

More formal equivalents are "So am I", "I am too", "I am as well" or "I am also" (but not "I also", "I too" or "I as well"). "I am also" is the most formal form here, The inverted form "So am I" would be the least.

 Note that we do not contract "I" + "am" in these formal short answers. "I'm also" or "I'm too." are both incorrect in formal speech.

Too in a formal style[edit | edit source]

In a formal or literary style, "too" can be placed directly after the subject. 

Example[edit | edit source]

  • I, too, have experienced despair. 

Also between the subject and the verb[edit | edit source]

"also" can be placed directly after the subject within a clause. It can be used quite informally in this manner and emphasises the relationship between the main part of the sentence and the clause. It is commonly seen in British English.

Example[edit | edit source]

  • We work hard but we also enjoy what we are doing.

However, when "also" is not within a clause - but a stand-alone sentence when there is *not* an auxilliary or modal verb - such usage is usually very formal.

Example[edit | edit source]

  • One also understands the implications of these spoken threats.

We tend to observe this usage in very highly formal language such as legal discourse. It often appears in older classical literature. Don't use "also" in this manner, unless you really know what you are doing with formal forms!

When there is an auxilliary or modal verb, then "also" can be placed between the modal/auxilliary verb and the main verb but generally not between the subject and the auxilliary.

Examples[edit | edit source]

  • I'm also going to the beach this summer.
  • Students should also be working, not just the teacher.

are correct expressions used in normal language, particularly British English.

But

  • I also am going to the beach this summer.

is wrong and

  • Students also should be working, not just the teacher.

would be extremely formal usage.

Videos[edit | edit source]

Also, As Well, Too | Adverbs of Addition in English - YouTube[edit | edit source]

As Well, Also, Too - Learn English Vocabulary - YouTube[edit | edit source]

Basic English Grammar: How to use ALSO, TOO, AS WELL - YouTube[edit | edit source]

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