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Another Way to Say Also: 25 Alternatives for Writing and Speech

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Few words get as overworked as also. It is one of the first connectors English learners pick up, and it does the job — until a reader notices it appearing in nearly every sentence. Essays, reports, emails and speeches all sound stronger when you vary the way you add information, which is why knowing another way to say also is such a useful writing skill.

The good news is that English is full of options. Some alternatives are formal and belong in academic essays; others are casual and suit conversation. Some sit at the start of a sentence, others only work in the middle or at the end. The trick is not just learning the words, but knowing where each one goes and what tone it carries.

In this guide you will find 25 alternatives to also, organised by register, with clear examples for each. There is also a section on placement rules — because putting the alternative in the wrong spot is the most common error — plus the mistakes to avoid and answers to the questions writers ask most.

Quick Answer

The best all-purpose alternatives to also are additionally, furthermore, moreover and in addition for formal writing, and too, as well and plus for casual writing and speech. Placement matters: also usually sits before the main verb (“She also plays”), while too and as well go at the end of the sentence (“She plays too”).

Formal Alternatives for Essays and Academic Writing

In academic essays, reports and professional writing, moreover, furthermore and additionally are the classic choices. They signal that another point is coming and they carry more weight than a simple also. Here are the strongest formal options, each with an example:

  1. Moreover — adds a point and slightly emphasises it. Moreover, the study controlled for age and income.
  2. Furthermore — adds information that strengthens the argument. Furthermore, the results were consistent across all three groups.
  3. Additionally — the closest formal match to also. Additionally, participants received a written summary. For more options in this register, see our guide to another way to say additionally.
  4. In addition — usually followed by “to” and a noun, or used as a sentence starter. In addition to the survey, ten interviews were conducted.
  5. Besides — adds a further point, often a decisive one. Besides, the alternative would have cost twice as much.
  6. Likewise — adds a point that is similar to the previous one. Likewise, the second trial produced no side effects.
  7. Similarly — like likewise, but very common in academic writing. Similarly, earlier research supports this conclusion.
  8. Equally — adds a point of equal importance. Equally, the control group showed signs of improvement.
  9. Further — a slightly more elegant way to add a point. Further, the data suggest a seasonal pattern.
  10. What is more — adds information with mild emphasis; acceptable in formal writing. What is more, the policy was introduced without consultation.
  11. As well as — joins two items or ideas within a sentence. The course covers grammar as well as vocabulary.
  12. Along with — adds something accompanying the main item. Along with the report, she submitted the raw data.
  13. Together with — similar to along with, slightly more formal. Together with the appendix, the document runs to forty pages.
  14. Coupled with — adds a factor that combines with another. Coupled with rising costs, the delays proved fatal to the project.
  15. Not only … but also — a two-part construction for emphasis. The scheme was not only expensive but also ineffective.

A quick style note: in British academic writing, moreover and furthermore are perfectly natural, but using them in every paragraph quickly becomes monotonous. Rotate through three or four favourites rather than repeating one.

Casual Alternatives for Conversation and Informal Writing

In speech, text messages and informal writing, the heavy formal connectors sound stiff. These ten options do the same job in a lighter way:

  1. Too — the most natural spoken choice, placed at the end of the sentence. I fancy a coffee too.
  2. As well — very common in British English, also sentence-final. Bring your umbrella as well.
  3. Plus — informal, works mid-sentence or at the start of a fragment. It is cheap, plus it looks great.
  4. On top of that — conversational, adds a further point. On top of that, the train was delayed.
  5. What’s more — the spoken form of “what is more”. What’s more, they didn’t even apologise.
  6. And — the simplest addition of all. She’s a doctor, and she writes novels.
  7. Besides — casual use, often introducing a clinching reason. Besides, it’s too late to change the plan now.
  8. Not to mention — adds something almost as an afterthought. The hotel was noisy, not to mention expensive.
  9. Into the bargain — a colourful British idiom. He fixed the sink and cleaned the gutters into the bargain.
  10. On top of everything — adds a final, often unwelcome point. On top of everything, my phone ran out of battery.

Placement and Grammar Rules (with Examples)

Choosing the word is only half the battle. Each alternative has a natural position in the sentence, and placing it wrongly is the fastest way to sound unnatural.

Also usually sits before the main verb or after the verb be:

  • She also plays the piano. (before the main verb)
  • They are also invited. (after the verb be)
  • He has also finished the report. (after the first auxiliary verb)

Too and as well go at the very end of the sentence or clause:

  • She plays the piano too.
  • They are invited as well.

Sentence starters such as Moreover, Furthermore, Additionally and In addition are followed by a comma and a full clause. This comma is required in formal writing:

  • Moreover, the sample size was unusually large.

Mid-sentence connectors such as as well as and along with join two elements inside one sentence and take no comma:

  • The museum displays paintings as well as sculptures.

One more rule worth memorising: in formal writing, avoid stacking two additive words in one sentence. “He is also too tired” and “Moreover, furthermore” are both errors — pick one.

Matching the Alternative to Your Context

As a rule of thumb, match the alternative to the formality of everything around it. If you are writing an essay that already uses connectors such as however and as a result, then moreover or furthermore will sit comfortably alongside them. If your writing is conversational, too, as well and plus will sound far more natural.

Also consider emphasis. Plain also simply adds information. Moreover and what’s more add it with extra force, as if to say “and this point is important”. Likewise and similarly do something subtler: they signal that the new point resembles the last one. Choose the word that matches the relationship between your ideas, not just any synonym.

Common Mistakes

  • Wrong: She can also to play the piano.
    Right: She can also play the piano. — Also goes before the main verb, never before “to”.
  • Wrong: He is too also coming to the party.
    Right: He is also coming to the party. — Never combine also with too or as well in the same clause; one additive word is enough.
  • Wrong: Furthermore it is the cheapest option.
    Right: Furthermore, it is the cheapest option. — Formal sentence starters need a comma after them.
  • Wrong: Additionally to the survey, interviews were held.
    Right: In addition to the survey, interviews were held. — “Additionally to” is not idiomatic; use “in addition to” before a noun.
  • Wrong: Also, moreover, the results were unclear.
    Right: Moreover, the results were unclear. — Stacking also with a formal alternative is redundant in every register.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I start a sentence with “Also”?

Yes. Starting a sentence with “Also” is completely grammatical and very common: Also, remember to lock the door. A comma after it is standard. In formal academic writing, though, Additionally or Furthermore usually reads better, so reserve sentence-initial Also for informal contexts.

Is “additionally” just a fancier “also”?

Almost, but not quite. Additionally adds new information in the same way, yet it sounds stiff in conversation — you would rarely hear “Additionally, I want chips” at a restaurant. Use additionally in essays and reports, and stick with also, too or as well when speaking.

What is the difference between “also”, “too” and “as well”?

Meaning is nearly identical; position and tone differ. Also sits mid-sentence before the main verb (She also sings), while too and as well sit at the end (She sings too / as well). Too is the most informal of the three, as well is neutral and very British, and also works in every register.

Can I use “also” twice in one sentence?

Grammatically you can, but stylistically you should not — it reads as careless. Instead of He also plays football and also coaches the youth team, rewrite with a single alternative: He plays football and also coaches the youth team, or He plays football; furthermore, he coaches the youth team.

For more ways to refresh tired connectors, explore our guides to another way to say additionally, other ways to say however and another way to say as a result.

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