Author: Mark	Composed: 10/30/97
Subject: The use of 'as well as'
Category: Fixed expressions

Dear all
I read from the Ming Pao (p. B10, 30 Oct 97) that after 'as well as' it's possible to say:
He advised me as well as answered my question.
Instead of -ing form after 'as well as', the writer of this column rules that -ed form in the above sentence is also correct because 'as well as' is taken as a conjunction. If taken as preposition, 'as well as' to me should be followed by -ing form. Also, from Michael Swan's Practical English Usage, I learn that it's possible to put a bare infinitive after this phrase, as in:
I have to feed the animals as well as look after the children.
My question is: is it correct for the column writer to make such a judgment?
Thank you very much
Mark

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