The word “also” is a common and useful way to add information or indicate similarity in English. However, relying solely on “also” can make your writing and speech sound repetitive and less sophisticated.
This article explores a wide range of alternatives to “also,” providing you with the tools to express yourself more precisely and engagingly. Mastering these alternatives will enhance your fluency, improve your writing style, and allow you to communicate more effectively in various contexts.
Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply an English language enthusiast, this guide will help you elevate your language skills.
This article is designed for English language learners of all levels, from intermediate to advanced. It provides clear explanations, numerous examples, and practical exercises to help you confidently incorporate these alternatives into your everyday communication.
By understanding the nuances of each word and phrase, you can choose the most appropriate option to convey your intended meaning with greater accuracy and impact.
Table of Contents
- Definition and Basic Usage
- Structural Considerations
- Types of Alternatives to “Also”
- Examples of Alternatives in Sentences
- Usage Rules and Considerations
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition and Basic Usage
The word “also” is an adverb that indicates addition or inclusion. It is used to add information, emphasize a point, or connect similar ideas.
While “also” is perfectly acceptable in many situations, overusing it can make your language sound monotonous. Therefore, it’s beneficial to learn and use a variety of synonyms to enhance your communication skills.
In essence, “also” signifies that something else is true, relevant, or applicable in addition to what has already been stated. It serves as a bridge between ideas, creating a sense of continuity and coherence in your writing and speech.
However, the English language offers a rich tapestry of alternatives that can convey similar meanings with varying degrees of formality, emphasis, and nuance. By mastering these alternatives, you can add depth, color, and precision to your communication.
Structural Considerations
Understanding the structural roles of “also” and its alternatives is crucial for using them correctly. “Also” is typically placed before the main verb (except when the verb is “to be”), after the first auxiliary verb, or at the beginning of a sentence.
Many of its alternatives have similar placement rules, while others require different sentence structures.
For instance, adverbs like “furthermore” and “moreover” often appear at the beginning of a sentence, followed by a comma. Phrases like “in addition to” require a noun phrase or gerund after them.
Understanding these structural differences is essential to ensure that your sentences are grammatically correct and that your intended meaning is clearly conveyed. Let’s explore these structural nuances with some examples.
Examples of “Also” in Different Positions:
- He also speaks French. (Before the main verb)
- He is also learning Spanish. (After the verb “to be”)
- He has also studied German. (After the auxiliary verb)
- Also, he enjoys playing the piano. (At the beginning of a sentence)
Examples of Alternatives with Different Structures:
- Furthermore, he is a talented writer. (Adverb at the beginning)
- In addition to his language skills, he is proficient in computer programming. (Phrase requiring a noun phrase)
- He is not only a talented musician but also a skilled painter. (Correlative conjunction requiring a specific structure)
Types of Alternatives to “Also”
Alternatives to “also” can be categorized based on the specific nuance they add to a sentence. These categories include words and phrases that indicate addition, similarity, emphasis, and consequence.
Understanding these categories will help you choose the most appropriate alternative for each situation.
Words and Phrases Indicating Addition
These words and phrases simply add more information to what has already been said. They are perhaps the closest in meaning to “also.” Examples include: “in addition,” “furthermore,” “moreover,” “besides,” “as well as,” and “plus.”
These alternatives provide a straightforward way to introduce additional details or arguments. They are particularly useful in formal writing and presentations where clarity and precision are paramount.
For instance, you might use “furthermore” to introduce a supporting argument in an essay or “in addition” to list extra features of a product.
Words and Phrases Indicating Similarity
These alternatives highlight the resemblance between two things. Examples include: “similarly,” “likewise,” “equally,” and “in the same way.”
These words and phrases emphasize the parallels between different concepts or situations. They are useful for drawing comparisons and analogies, helping your audience understand complex ideas by relating them to something familiar.
For example, you might use “similarly” to compare the effects of two different policies or “likewise” to show that two individuals share the same opinion.
Words and Phrases Indicating Emphasis
These alternatives not only add information but also emphasize its importance. Examples include: “indeed,” “more importantly,” “above all,” “especially,” and “particularly.”
These words and phrases are used to draw attention to specific points that you want to highlight. They add weight and significance to your statements, making them more memorable and impactful.
For instance, you might use “indeed” to confirm a previous statement or “more importantly” to emphasize the most crucial aspect of a situation.
Words and Phrases Indicating Consequence
These alternatives suggest that one thing follows as a result of another. While not direct synonyms of also, they can be used to link ideas in a similar way.
Examples include: “therefore,” “consequently,” “as a result,” and “thus.”
These words and phrases establish a cause-and-effect relationship between different events or ideas. They are useful for explaining the logical connections between different parts of your argument, making your reasoning more persuasive and coherent.
For example, you might use “therefore” to state a conclusion based on previous evidence or “as a result” to describe the outcome of a particular action.
Examples of Alternatives in Sentences
The best way to understand how to use these alternatives is to see them in action. The following tables provide numerous examples of each type of alternative in various sentence structures and contexts.
These examples will help you grasp the nuances of each word and phrase and learn how to use them effectively in your own writing and speech.
Examples of Addition Words
The following table provides examples of using “in addition,” “furthermore,” “moreover,” “besides,” “as well as,” and “plus” in sentences. Each example demonstrates how these words and phrases can be used to add extra information to a statement.
| Alternative | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| In addition | He is a talented musician. In addition, he is a skilled painter. |
| In addition | In addition to his salary, he receives a generous bonus. |
| Furthermore | The research is well-designed. Furthermore, the results are compelling. |
| Furthermore | The project is behind schedule; furthermore, it is over budget. |
| Moreover | The evidence is clear. Moreover, the witnesses corroborate the story. |
| Moreover | The plan is cost-effective; moreover, it is environmentally friendly. |
| Besides | He speaks English fluently. Besides, he knows some Spanish. |
| Besides | Besides being a good student, she is also a talented athlete. |
| As well as | He enjoys playing the guitar as well as singing. |
| As well as | As well as being knowledgeable, he is also very approachable. |
| Plus | The apartment is spacious, plus it has a great view. |
| Plus | The location is convenient, plus the rent is affordable. |
| In addition | She is an excellent teacher. In addition, she’s a dedicated mentor. |
| Furthermore | The data supports our hypothesis. Furthermore, it reveals new insights. |
| Moreover | The software is user-friendly. Moreover, it’s highly customizable. |
| Besides | He’s a skilled negotiator. Besides, he’s a great team player. |
| As well as | She’s proficient in English as well as French. |
| Plus | It’s a comfortable car, plus it gets great gas mileage. |
| In addition | The candidate has strong qualifications. In addition, they have relevant experience. |
| Furthermore | The report is thorough. Furthermore, it includes actionable recommendations. |
Examples of Similarity Words
The following table provides examples of using “similarly,” “likewise,” “equally,” and “in the same way” in sentences. Each example demonstrates how these words and phrases can be used to highlight the resemblance between two things.
| Alternative | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Similarly | Dogs require regular exercise. Similarly, cats need playtime. |
| Similarly | The first experiment failed. Similarly, the second one did not yield positive results. |
| Likewise | The students were attentive. Likewise, the teacher was engaging. |
| Likewise | The economy is improving. Likewise, consumer confidence is rising. |
| Equally | Both candidates are qualified. They are equally capable of leading the team. |
| Equally | The movie was well-acted and equally well-directed. |
| In the same way | Birds build nests to protect their young. In the same way, humans build houses. |
| In the same way | The heart pumps blood throughout the body. In the same way, the government provides resources to its citizens. |
| Similarly | The company invested in marketing. Similarly, they focused on product development. |
| Likewise | The athlete trained rigorously. Likewise, they maintained a strict diet. |
| Equally | The project requires creativity and equally requires attention to detail. |
| In the same way | A tree needs sunlight to grow. In the same way, a child needs love to thrive. |
| Similarly | The first painting was vibrant and colorful. Similarly, the second painting was full of life. |
| Likewise | The manager was supportive of his team. Likewise, the team members were dedicated to their work. |
| Equally | The success of the project depended on teamwork and equally depended on individual contributions. |
| In the same way | A plant needs water to survive. In the same way, a business needs capital to grow. |
| Similarly | The old system was inefficient. Similarly, the new system had its own set of problems. |
| Likewise | The CEO set ambitious goals. Likewise, the employees worked hard to achieve them. |
| Equally | The performance was praised for its acting and equally for its directing. |
| In the same way | A car needs fuel to run. In the same way, a computer needs electricity to operate. |
Examples of Emphasis Words
The following table provides examples of using “indeed,” “more importantly,” “above all,” “especially,” and “particularly” in sentences. Each example demonstrates how these words and phrases can be used to add emphasis to a statement.
| Alternative | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Indeed | The task was challenging. Indeed, it was the most difficult project we’ve ever undertaken. |
| Indeed | The weather is beautiful. Indeed, it’s a perfect day for a picnic. |
| More importantly | The company needs to increase revenue. More importantly, it needs to improve its customer service. |
| More importantly | We need to address the symptoms. More importantly, we need to find the root cause. |
| Above all | The team needs to work together. Above all, they need to communicate effectively. |
| Above all | We need to be patient. Above all, we need to be persistent. |
| Especially | He enjoys all kinds of music, especially jazz. |
| Especially | The garden is beautiful in the spring, especially when the tulips are in bloom. |
| Particularly | The students excelled in mathematics, particularly in algebra. |
| Particularly | The restaurant is known for its seafood, particularly its lobster bisque. |
| Indeed | The book was fascinating. Indeed, I couldn’t put it down. |
| More importantly | The company needs to cut costs. More importantly, it must innovate. |
| Above all | We need to stay focused. Above all, we must remain optimistic. |
| Especially | She loves all animals, especially dogs. |
| Particularly | The museum is famous for its art, particularly its Impressionist collection. |
| Indeed | The concert was amazing. Indeed, it exceeded all expectations. |
| More importantly | The project requires funding. More importantly, it needs skilled personnel. |
| Above all | We need to be honest. Above all, we must be transparent. |
| Especially | He enjoys outdoor activities, especially hiking. |
| Particularly | The research is valuable, particularly its findings on climate change. |
Examples of Consequence Words
The following table provides examples of using “therefore,” “consequently,” “as a result,” and “thus” in sentences. Each example demonstrates how these words and phrases can be used to indicate that one thing follows as a result of another.
| Alternative | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Therefore | All men are mortal; Socrates is a man; therefore, Socrates is mortal. |
| Therefore | The evidence is compelling; therefore, we must conclude that he is guilty. |
| Consequently | The storm caused widespread damage; consequently, many people were left homeless. |
| Consequently | He failed to study for the exam; consequently, he received a low grade. |
| As a result | The company implemented new policies; as a result, productivity increased. |
| As a result | The drought continued for months; as a result, crops failed and food prices rose. |
| Thus | The data was analyzed carefully; thus, we were able to draw accurate conclusions. |
| Thus | The project was well-planned; thus, it was completed on time and within budget. |
| Therefore | The hypothesis is supported by the data; therefore, we can accept it. |
| Consequently | The factory closed down; consequently, many people lost their jobs. |
| As a result | The government invested in education; as a result, literacy rates improved. |
| Thus | The experiment was carefully controlled; thus, the results are reliable. |
| Therefore | All students must pass the exam; she is a student; therefore, she must pass the exam. |
| Consequently | The price of oil increased; consequently, the cost of transportation rose. |
| As a result | The company adopted sustainable practices; as a result, its reputation improved. |
| Thus | The research was conducted ethically; thus, the findings are trustworthy. |
| Therefore | The argument is logically sound; therefore, it is persuasive. |
| Consequently | The interest rates were lowered; consequently, borrowing became more affordable. |
| As a result | The city invested in public transportation; as a result, traffic congestion decreased. |
| Thus | The investigation was thorough; thus, the truth was revealed. |
Usage Rules and Considerations
While the alternatives to “also” can enrich your language, it’s important to use them correctly. Pay attention to the specific meaning and connotation of each word or phrase, as well as its grammatical structure.
Some alternatives are more formal than others, and some are more appropriate for certain contexts.
For instance, “moreover” and “furthermore” are generally used in formal writing, while “plus” is more common in informal speech. “As well as” requires careful attention to parallelism, ensuring that the elements being joined are grammatically similar.
Understanding these nuances will help you choose the most appropriate alternative for each situation and avoid common errors.
Formality: Consider the formality of the context. Use words like ‘moreover’ and ‘furthermore’ in formal writing and ‘plus’ in informal conversation.
Parallelism: When using ‘as well as,’ ensure the elements you’re connecting are parallel. For example, “He enjoys reading books as well as writing stories” is correct, while “He enjoys reading books as well as to write stories” is incorrect.
Emphasis: Choose alternatives that match the level of emphasis you want to convey. Use ‘especially’ and ‘particularly’ to highlight specific items or ideas.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is using formal alternatives in informal contexts, or vice versa. Another is misusing the grammatical structure required by certain alternatives, such as “as well as.” Additionally, it’s important to avoid using alternatives that don’t accurately reflect the intended meaning.
For example, using “therefore” when you simply want to add information, rather than indicate a consequence, would be incorrect. Similarly, using “similarly” when you actually want to emphasize something would be inappropriate.
By being aware of these common mistakes, you can avoid them and use the alternatives to “also” more effectively.
Incorrect: He is good at math, therefore he is good at science. (Incorrect use of ‘therefore’ as it doesn’t necessarily follow that being good at math leads to being good at science.)
Correct: He is good at math; furthermore, he excels in science. (Correct use of ‘furthermore’ to add another piece of information.)
Incorrect: She likes to swim as well as hiking. (Incorrect parallelism with ‘as well as.’)
Correct: She likes swimming as well as hiking. (Correct parallelism: both are gerunds.)
Incorrect: The movie was boring, especially the exciting parts. (Contradictory use of ‘especially.’)
Correct: The movie was boring, particularly the long dialogues. (Correct use of ‘particularly’ to specify which parts were boring.)
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding of the alternatives to “also” with the following exercises. Choose the most appropriate alternative to “also” in each sentence.
These exercises will help you reinforce your knowledge and develop your ability to use these alternatives confidently.
Instructions: Replace “also” with a more suitable alternative from the options provided.
| Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. He is a talented writer. He is also a skilled musician. | a) Furthermore, b) Similarly, c) Therefore | a) Furthermore |
| 2. The food was delicious. The service was also excellent. | a) Moreover, b) Likewise, c) As a result | a) Moreover |
| 3. She enjoys reading books. She enjoys watching movies also. | a) As well as, b) Besides, c) In addition | a) As well as |
| 4. The company needs to increase sales. It needs to improve customer service also. | a) More importantly, b) Similarly, c) Consequently | a) More importantly |
| 5. The weather is warm. It is sunny also. | a) Plus, b) Indeed, c) Therefore | a) Plus |
| 6. The students are hardworking. They are creative also. | a) Besides, b) Equally, c) Thus | a) Besides |
| 7. The project requires funding. It requires skilled personnel also. | a) Especially, b) Above all, c) In addition | c) In addition |
| 8. The city is known for its museums. It is known for its parks also. | a) Similarly, b) Likewise, c) Equally | b) Likewise |
| 9. The evidence is clear. We must conclude that he is guilty also. | a) Therefore, b) Indeed, c) Particularly | a) Therefore |
| 10. She is fluent in Spanish. She speaks French also. | a) Furthermore, b) Similarly, c) As a result | a) Furthermore |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, exploring the subtle nuances and idiomatic expressions related to these alternatives can be beneficial. For example, understanding the difference between “besides” and “apart from” requires a deeper understanding of context and implication.
Similarly, mastering the use of correlative conjunctions like “not only…but also” can add sophistication to your writing.
Furthermore, analyzing how these alternatives are used in different genres of writing, such as academic papers, business reports, and creative writing, can provide valuable insights into their effective application. By delving into these advanced topics, you can refine your language skills and achieve a higher level of fluency and precision.
Exploring the use of these alternatives in formal and informal contexts can also enhance your understanding. For example, “moreover” and “furthermore” are typically used in formal writing, while “plus” is more common in informal speech.
Understanding these distinctions will allow you to tailor your language to the specific audience and purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about using alternatives to “also”:
- Q: Is it always better to use an alternative to “also”?
A: Not necessarily. “Also” is a perfectly acceptable word in many situations. However, using a variety of alternatives can make your language more engaging and precise. - Q: How do I choose the right alternative to “also”?
A: Consider the specific meaning you want to convey, the formality of the context, and the grammatical structure required by the alternative. - Q: Are some alternatives more formal than others?
A: Yes. Words like “moreover” and “furthermore” are generally more formal than “plus” or “too.” - Q: Can I use multiple alternatives in the same sentence?
A: While it’s technically possible, it’s generally best to avoid using too many alternatives in the same sentence, as it can make your writing sound awkward or unnatural. - Q: What is the difference between “besides” and “in addition”?
A: “Besides” can sometimes imply a slightly stronger emphasis or relevance than “in addition.” However, the difference is often subtle and depends on the context. - Q: How can I improve my ability to use these alternatives correctly?
A: Practice using them in your own writing and speech, and pay attention to how native speakers use them. Read widely and listen actively to expand your vocabulary and understanding of these alternatives. - Q: Is “as well” the same as “also”?
A: Yes, but “as well” typically comes at the end of a clause or sentence, whereas “also” usually comes before the main verb or after an auxiliary verb. - Q: What are some common collocations with these alternatives?
A: Some common collocations include “in addition to,” “more importantly,” “above all,” and “as a result of.” Learning these collocations can help you use the alternatives more naturally and effectively.
Conclusion
Mastering alternatives to “also” is a valuable step towards enhancing your English language skills. By expanding your vocabulary and understanding the nuances of these alternatives, you can express yourself more precisely, engagingly, and effectively.
Remember to consider the specific meaning, formality, and grammatical structure of each alternative when choosing the most appropriate option.
Continue to practice using these alternatives in your own writing and speech, and pay attention to how native speakers use them. With consistent effort and attention to detail, you can confidently incorporate these alternatives into your everyday communication and elevate your language skills to the next level.
Keep practicing, keep learning, and enjoy the journey of mastering the English language!