[Grammar] (comma) and / (comma) as well as

[uktous]

Hi,

Question1:
Does as well as have the same meaning as and in my case?
Question2:
The sentences are too long, is it possible to use comma before the conjunction (and , as well as).
Question3:
Which sentence is incorrect?

Sentence1:
My hobbles include eating and drinking Japanese food, watching and playing football and learning and creating new things.
Sentence2:
My hobbles include eating and drinking Japanese food, watching and playing football ,and learning and creating new things.
Sentence3:
My hobbles include eating and drinking Japanese food, watching and playing football as well as learning and creating new things.
Sentence4:
My hobbles include eating and drinking Japanese food, watching and playing football ,as well as learning and creating new things.

Thanks

 

[IHIVG]

It's hobbies, not hobbles.

Yes, 'as well as' is the same as 'and', and a far better choice in your case since you have many ands in the sentence. (I'm not sure about the comma here - I think it's OK with or without it).

If you want to use 'and', the comma is a must in my view. You need to separate those clauses-- you watch and play football, not learn or create it.
However, if you were to say, for example:
My hobbies include eating Japanese food, playing football and learning new things. -- it's fine without a comma.

 

[Raymott]

Hi,

Question1:
Does as well as have the same meaning as and in my case?
Question2:
The sentences are too long, is it possible to use comma before the conjunction (and , as well as).
Question3:
Which sentence is incorrect?

Sentence1:
My hobbles include eating and drinking Japanese food, watching and playing football and learning and creating new things.
Sentence2:
My hobbles include eating and drinking Japanese food, watching and playing football ,and learning and creating new things.
Sentence3:
My hobbles include eating and drinking Japanese food, watching and playing football as well as learning and creating new things.
Sentence4:
My hobbles include eating and drinking Japanese food, watching and playing football ,as well as learning and creating new things.

Thanks

Yes, "as well as" is correct, but there's no need for it.
I would write:
My hobbies include eating and drinking Japanese food, watching and playing football, and learning and creating new things.

It might seem that there are too many 'ands', but a native speaker is unlikely to register this unless the sentence is punctuated badly.

I'd reserve "as well as" for situations in which you want to emphasize the "not only ..., but also ..." relationship. It doesn't strictly mean simply 'and', and shouldn't be used that way.

My hobbies include playing football as well as watching it.
That is, "Not only do I watch football [like most people], but I also play it."
A simple list of equal things doesn't contain this special meaning.
* "I like football, Japanese food, as well as learning new things" Not good.
"I like playing the piano and creating, as well as learning, new musical pieces." Good.