Comma Before “As Well”? (Helpful Examples)

Some people like to place commas before “as well” to emphasize the addition to their sentence. It would help to know when these rules apply. This article will explore when it’s correct to include commas before “as well,” depending on where it is in the sentence.

Comma Before “As Well”

You can place a comma before “as well” at the end or in the middle of a sentence. It’s commonly seen when it’s used in the middle of a sentence. It allows you to create a parenthetical element where “as well as” introduces an additional clause to what you’re saying.

comma before as well

“As well as” is the phrase that you should use when “as well” comes in the middle of the sentence. “As” is always required after “as well” to show that something can be added or compared.

The comma only comes before “as well” when it is part of its own parenthetical element. It still adds further information, but “as well” can be removed from the sentence, and it would still be grammatically correct.

Comma Before “As Well” at the End of a Sentence

A comma can come before “as well” when you’re trying to emphasize the addition in the sentence. It works well to show that you are drawing attention to something important, and the addition shows that it’s worth talking about to an extra capacity.

  1. He did many things differently. He decided against doing most of them efficiently, as well.
  2. I thought about it many times. I tried my best to make the changes when they applied, as well.
  3. I’m going to have to tell you to stop. I know that I’ve done so before, as well.
  4. She wanted more out of their relationship. She told him all about that, as well.
  5. We are going to have to try a little bit harder. We’re not sure whether we’re in the right place, as well.

Comma Before “As Well” in the Middle of a Sentence

You can place a comma before “as well” in the middle of a sentence as part of a parenthetical element. If you are introducing it as part of its own dependent clause, a comma should come before “as well.”

In this context, “as well” becomes “as well as” to add further information. If you removed the whole clause containing “as well as,” you would find that the sentence still makes sense.

  1. Tom, as well as Matthew, thought that it would be better if they went to the park at the same time.
  2. I’m not so sure you’ve got it correct, as well as you’ve tried to, but I’m glad you’ve given it an effort.
  3. Michael talked about it with her, as well as with me, and we both agree that you might be in the wrong.
  4. I heard all about these issues, as well as the other ones that he’s dealing with. I’m not sure there’s much left to say about this.
  5. Dean told her about it, as well as all the things that he’s struggling with lately. I felt really bad for what he said to her.

Is Comma After “As Well” Correct?

A comma after “as well” is correct, but it’s not common. It only ever applies when “as well” is followed by a coordinating conjunction that introduces a new independent clause. The comma must come before the conjunction to show that a new clause is starting.

Since the comma comes before the conjunction, it also makes sense that it comes after “as well.” This is a rare circumstance, but it is important to remember it.

  1. I could affect you as well, and it’s worth knowing whether it’s going to be something that you can change.
  2. I thought about it as well, but I don’t see much of a reason for us to change the way we do things.
  3. We needed you there as well, yet you didn’t seem to think that it was worth your time or effort.
  4. She tried to speak up as well, but nobody seemed to care for any of the things she had to say.
  5. He’s helping as well, though I don’t think there’s much more that can be done to help these guys out.

Final Thoughts

Commas aren’t necessary when you use “as well,” but they do work. You can use them to add emphasis to your point if you include it at the end of your sentence. It also works to introduce “as well” as a parenthetical element to add a dependent clause.

You may also like:
“As Well” at the End of a Sentence – Meaning & Proper Usage
Too or As Well – When to Use Each (Helpful Examples)
Aswell or As well? (Helpful Examples)
“Me Too” vs. “Me As Well” vs. “I As Well” – Difference Explained