along with

[lenorj]

Is there a difference between along with and with?

[rewboss]

Yes. "Along with" takes three times longer to say than "with".

In most cases, you can -- indeed, should -- say "with" instead of "along with". I know I use that phrase more often than I should. I think it's OK to use it to introduce a list as an afterthought, but only just:

I had a surprise visit the other day from my father-in-law, who came with his new lady friend... along with her two daughters, their dog, five cousins and an aunt.