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I remember that I can use "as well" as a synonym for "too" (or "also").

Is there any case in which I can't do this?

Am I safe using either of them?

This is partly related to these questions:

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1 Answer

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While "as well" has the same meaning as "also" or that sense of "too", you've fairly limited in when it can be used. Itt can only be used at the end of sentences or the end of complete thoughts.

I'd like the chicken as well.

This isn't alright:

I, as well, want the chicken.
As well, I want the chicken.

Of course, you'd go with:

I, too, want the chicken.
I also want the chicken.
I want the chicken, too.
I want the chicken, also.

I'd say it's just a slightly more formal, less useful version of "also" or "too."

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Is "I, as well, want the chicken." really that bad? It sounds equivalent to "I, too, want the chicken.", in that it emphasizes that the speaker, and not someone else, wants the chicken. – Hackworth Aug 21 '11 at 13:23
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@Hacksworth I agree with you that it would be useful for emphasis, but it's just not a natural-sounding phrase for an English speaker IMO. If you want that kind of emphasis, using "I, too" accomplishes it just as well. – Jeremy Aug 21 '11 at 13:33
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"I, as well, want..." is truly awful English, even if it's not easy to explain exactly why to a non-native speaker. – FumbleFingers Aug 21 '11 at 17:54
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@FumbleFingers: I disagree. It’s certainly a highly marked usage, so there are relatively few contexts in which it would be appropriate, and I’d not go so far as actually to recommend it, but ‘truly awful English’ it is not. It would sound better as ‘I, as well, would like’, though, with a more formal verb. – Brian M. Scott Aug 21 '11 at 20:50
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@FumbleFingers: (Cont'd.) In any case, a little time spent with Google clearly shows that the construction sounds fine to a great many native speakers, especially when they want to sound a bit formal (e.g., ‘I as well want to thank ...’). – Brian M. Scott Aug 21 '11 at 23:07
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