Hi Friends, I enjoy reading English articles as well as teaching English. It means not
only do I enjoy teaching English but also enjoy reading English articles. Well this
is what today's lesson is about using ‘As well as’ in a sentence.
Before we start, let's understand what do you mean by ‘As well as’, it means not only but also. Now
we use ‘As well as’ when we want to add some more information to a fact that is already
known to the person that we are speaking to, so it means you are adding more information
to some fact. Now a lot of people misunderstand it as a similar word to and. Now it’s certainly
does not mean ‘and’. So people feel it’s okay to use and, and as well as interchangeably.
But well friends that is not the case. ‘As well as’ means ‘Not only, but also’,
so when you add more information to something you use ‘As well as’. Now in my first
sentence, John as well as Mary wants to leave early. It means not only Mary but also john.
Now maybe Mary has already taken leave and she is you know her leave is approved but
now I tell my boss John as well as Mary wants to leave early. What I mean is not only Mary,
he knows the fact that Mary is leaving early but not only Mary but also John. I am adding
some information to the fact that Mary wants to leave early. Wellbut also John. So john
also wants to leave early, fine. Now remember I have two subjects here John as well as Mary.
In singular Mary is a singular noun, so you add a singular verb ‘wants to’. A lot
of people would say, John as well as Mary want to leave early. Well this is wrong. Or
many people would say, ok John and Mary wants to leave early. Again that is wrong. Why am
I using as well as because I am adding some more information to a fact that is already
know to the person, in this case it’s my boss, fine. In the next example, she is greedy
as well as dishonest. That means not only she is dishonest but also greedy. Now we are
talking about a common person a mutual friend probably. You already know that she is dishonest,
I am adding some more information and telling you not only is she greedy, not only is she
dishonest but also greedy. You know the fact that she is dishonest, I am adding some more
information and telling you she is greedy. So that is how I am going to use as well as
to say not only but also, ok friends. The third example, animals as well as plants need
water to survive. Not only plants but also animals ok, need water to survive, fine. I
am adding some more information to the fact that plants need water to survive. What’s
the information? Animals also need water to survive. Now we have two subjects that we
are connecting animals as well as plants. Plants is in the plural so you are going to
use a plural verb, do not use needs this will be completely incorrect. So animals as well
as plants need water to survive. Not only plants but also animals, fine so I am adding
some more information. Now we are going to take a look at the next information which
is slightly different, he hurt his arm as well as breaking his leg. So we have two verbs
here there are two actions that are happening. In my earlier sentences we have two subjects
or two qualities that we are connecting now we are talking about two actions. He hurt
his arm as well as breaking his leg. Now the verb that follows as well as always takes
an ‘ing’ form. Now a lot of people would use, he hurt his arm as well as broke his
leg. This is incorrect. Well this is the most common error made, but remember when you have
a verb immediately after as well as use an ‘ing’ form. This is very important and
you must remember this rule. Now the next sentence, she draws as well as designing cloths.
Again I have two words draws as designs. So not only does she design but also draws, right.
I am adding some more information to the fact that she designs cloths you know the information,
I am adding some more to it. So she draws as well as she, as well as designing. Do not
say as well as designs, fine. Again the most common error this is absolutely incorrect.
Remember the verb that follows as well as is always in the ‘ing’ form. This is very-very
important as a lot of people make mistake. So remember when you use a verb immediately
after as well as it should always and always be in the ‘ing’ form. The next sentence
is again a little different, I have to clean the floors as well as cook food. Now if you
see in this sentence I have an infinity here, so to clean is an infinity. So what is an
infinity, it is to followed by a verb in the base form. So I have to clean. So it’s like
I have to go, I want to eat some chips. So to go, to eat become infinitives. So it nothing
but to plus a verb in the base form, in this case it is clean. So I have to clean the floors
as well as cook food. Now I have an infinity in the main clause, so when you have the second
verb here you do no use to. You do not use to. Now just supposing I was to make two sentences,
I would say I have to clean the floors. I have to cook food. So have, I have to cook.
But now I am using as well as to ass some more information, so I am going to say I have
to clean the floors as well as cook food. So you do not add ‘to’, do not say ‘to
cook’. This is absolutely incorrect. And in this case you do not put cook in ing because
we are dealing with an infinity in the main clause or in the main part of the sentence.
So this is not a verb, it’s an infinitive. What is an infinitive, to followed by a verb
in the base form. Because there is an infinitive in the main clause you will not use ‘to
cook’. That means the infinitive form after as well as you will just put it without ‘to’,
you would use the verb without ‘to’ and remember in this case you will not put the
verb in the ‘ing’ form because we are dealing with an infinitives in this sentence.
Okay friends. Now let me give you one more sentence. Well, I have to go. So I have to
go as well as end the lesson. Now why am I saying as well as. You are aware of the fact
that I have to end the lesson but well I am adding information by telling you not only
do I have to end the lesson but also its time to go. Well this brings me to the end of the
lesson. Hope you enjoyed watching it. I do have a small test for you take it and let
me know you scores. I’ll be back soon with a new lesson till then take care and bye.