English is messy. You think you’ve got a handle on it, and then a phrase like as well as trips you up. Most people use it as a carbon copy for the word "and," but that is basically a lie. It's a common mistake, honestly. If you treat these phrases like simple addition, your subject-verb agreement is going to fall apart faster than a cheap umbrella in a storm.
The "As Well As" Trap
The biggest misconception about as well as other words that function as additive phrases—like "along with," "in addition to," or "together with"—is that they create a plural subject. They don't. Imagine you’re writing a sentence about a CEO and her assistants. If you say, "The CEO and her assistants are coming," the "and" makes the subject plural. Simple. But if you swap that for "The CEO, as well as her assistants, is coming," the verb stays singular.
Why?
Because the stuff tucked between those commas is considered "parenthetical." It’s extra. It’s a side note. It isn't part of the formal grammatical subject. Grammarians like Bryan Garner, author of Garner's Modern English Usage, have been shouting this from the rooftops for decades. When you use these phrases, you’re emphasizing the first person or thing mentioned while treating the rest as a secondary detail. It changes the rhythm of the sentence entirely.
Why Word Choice Actually Changes Meaning
Think about the nuance here. Language isn't just a code; it’s a vibe.
When you say "The pizza and the wings were cold," you’re giving them equal weight. They both failed you. But if you say "The pizza, as well as the wings, was cold," you’re centering the pizza. Maybe the wings were an afterthought. Maybe the wings being cold was just the final insult to an already ruined dinner.
Grammar pedants often get a bad rap, but this distinction matters in legal documents and high-stakes business communication. If a contract says "The property, as well as the outbuildings, is included," the singular "is" reinforces that the property is the primary asset. It’s about hierarchy.
Other Words That People Mix Up With "And"
It isn't just as well as causing chaos. There’s a whole family of these phrases.
- Along with: Often used in news reports. "The Senator, along with his aides, was seen leaving the building." If you used "were," you’d be grammatically incorrect in the eyes of most style guides, including AP and Chicago.
- In addition to: This one feels more formal. It’s bulky. It’s the kind of phrase people use when they want to sound smarter in a memo, but it follows the same rules. It doesn't add to the count of the subject.
- Coupled with: You see this in scientific or economic writing. "High inflation, coupled with low wages, creates a crisis."
You've probably seen people mess this up in professional emails. I see it every day. It feels natural to use a plural verb because your brain sees two things. But grammar isn't always about what you see; it's about the structural bones of the sentence.
The Punctuation Secret
If you use as well as, you almost always need commas. Or at least, you should use them if you want to be clear. These commas act like a "pardon the interruption" sign. They tell the reader, "Hey, I'm going to drop some extra info here, but don't let it distract you from the main point."
Leaving them out makes the sentence feel cluttered. It also makes it harder for the reader to realize that the verb shouldn't be plural. Take this: "The manager as well as the employees wants a raise." It looks weird. It feels "off." Add the commas: "The manager, as well as the employees, wants a raise." Now it makes sense. The focus is on the manager. The employees are just along for the ride.
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Does Anyone Actually Care?
In casual texting? No. Use whatever you want.
But if you’re writing for a living, or trying to rank on Google, or trying to convince a skeptical client, these details matter. We live in an era where AI-generated content is everywhere, and one of the biggest "tells" of poor writing (AI or human) is a lack of control over subject-verb agreement.
Nuance is a human trait.
Even the Oxford English Dictionary notes that while some writers have used as well as as a conjunction historically, modern standard English keeps it as a quasi-preposition. This isn't just some dusty rule from 1950; it's how we signal professional competence today.
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Actionable Steps for Better Writing
Stop using "as well as" just to avoid repeating the word "and." It’s not a synonym. It’s a tool for emphasis. If you want to list things of equal importance, stick to "and." It’s clean. It’s effective.
If you do choose to use as well as or similar phrases, follow this checklist:
- Identify the true subject. Look at the very first noun before the phrase.
- Match the verb to that noun. Ignore everything that comes after "as well as."
- Use commas. Enclose the "as well as" phrase in commas to clarify that it’s extra information.
- Read it aloud. If the sentence sounds clunky with a singular verb, just rewrite it using "and." There is no shame in simplicity.
The next time you’re tempted to spice up a sentence with as well as other words, ask yourself if you’re trying to create a hierarchy or just a list. If it’s a list, keep it simple. If it’s a hierarchy, mind your commas and keep that verb singular. Your readers—and your editor—will thank you.