1) 一般都熟知 as well as 常常用于并列多个概念(这些概念可以表现为名词、代词、形容词、副词、介词短语,甚至谓语动词,as well as 后面的一个概念通常是已知的或是作为衬托的,重点往往在前一个概念上)。
- He gave me clothes as well as food.他给了我食物还给了衣服。
- I can't carry his bags as well as my own.我拿了自己的箱子,就拿不了他的。
- It has symbolic as well as economic significance.它既有经济意义,也有象征意义。
- He designs as well as makes fashionable dresses.他既裁制时装,也设计时装。
但是,as well as 有时候的作用不在于并列概念,而是表示两者的相似。
- Women, as well as men, have a fundamental right to work.妇女和男子一样,也有参加工作的基本权利。
此时 as well as 甚至可以像 than 或 as 那样连接一个有谓语动词的不完整的从句。
- Although IQ tests were not originally intended for use in business, studies have shown that these instruments predict work performance at least as well as competency interviews do.尽管智商测验原先不是为了用于工作业务,但是一些调研结果显示,这些手段起码能够同能力面试一样预示工作业绩。
另外,as well as 究竟是表示并列还是比较,以及拿什么同什么相比或并列,要看全文。
- A new study has found that a diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy lowers blood pressure as well as drugs.不是拿 blood pressure 与 drugs 并列,也不是拿来相比较,而是拿 a diet of... 与 drugs 相比较(一项新近的研究发现,由水果、全麦和低脂乳制品组成的食谱,可以同药物一样降低血压)。
2) 此外,由于 as well as 的原意是“同…一样好”,有时候这个原意仍然保留,就可能产生歧义,例如:
- Jennifer plays the violin as well as Sylvia.
这一句可以是“詹尼弗也同西尔维亚一样拉小提琴”,也可以是“詹尼弗拉小提琴同西尔维亚一样好”。为了避免歧义,如果意思是前者,可以改为 Both Jennifer and Sylvia play the violin,如果意思是后者,可以改为 Jennifer and Sylvia play the violin equally well.