What is the rule with using a comma before as well when they are the last two words in a sentence? For example:
Sam pitches for the middle school team and plays various positions for the varsity as well.
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1I see no need for a comma there.– chasly - supports MonicaSep 4, 2015 at 16:42
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@chaslyfromUK is right: there's no need. But you could use a comma if you wanted to set the "as well" off from the rest of the sentence and give it a bit more weight.– VampDucSep 4, 2015 at 16:49
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2 Answers
This is a matter of style, so you should consult your style guide. I prefer The Chicago Manual of Style. A brief search doesn't reveal their guidelines for "as well," but here's their take on the synonym "too."
Use commas with too only when you want to emphasize an abrupt change of thought[.]
Since the last two words in a sentence cannot constitute any change of thought, I think we may infer that a comma is not called for.
If the word "too" or "also" is used at the end of a sentence, a comma is always placed beforehand. Since the phrase "as well" means the same as those two words, a comma must also be placed beforehand.
