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

Also, as well and too

 

1. Position

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 is less common in American English.  

Examples:

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. 

Examples:

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

2. References

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. 

3. Imperatives and short answers

As well and too are used in imperatives and short answers, but not usually also. 

Examples:

Give me some bread as well, please. (More natural than Also give me . . .)

‘She's nice.’ ‘Her sister is as well.’ (More natural than Her sister is also.)

‘I ’ve got a headache.’ ‘I have too.’ (More natural than I also have.)  

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

Example:

‘I ’m going home.’ ‘Me too.’

 

More formal equivalents are "So am I"  or "I am too" (but not I also).  

 

4. Too in a formal style

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

Example:

I, too, have experienced despair.