'Also' Vs 'As well' Vs 'Too'

These three expressions have similar meanings, but they are used in slightly different ways in sentences. 

1. As well and too

These normally go at the end of a clause. 

S/he not only singes; s/he plays the piano as well. 

I was Thailand last summer too. 

'As well' and 'too' can refer to the subject or to other parts of the sentence, according to the situation. Consider the following: 

Mr. Bean teaches skiing as well. 

This could mean three different things: 

a. Other people teach skiing, and Mr. Bean does as well. 

b. Mr. Bean teaches other things and skiing as well. 

c. Mr. Bean does other things and teaches skiing as well. 

The situation normally makes the meaning clear in cases like this. In spoken English, the meaning is also shown by the emphasis (on third). 

'Too' (but not 'as well') can be placed directly after the subject. This is rather formal or literary. 

I, too, know where he is to be found. 

In an informal style, 'too' is often used after object pronouns in 'short answers'. 

'I've got an idea!' - 'Me too' (In more formal English: 'So have I!' or 'I have too!')

2. Also

In an informal style, 'also' is less common than 'too' and 'as well'. It is very common in written English. It does not come at the end of the clause but is normally put with the verb. 

Mr. Bean also plays the guitar. 

I've also read her other novels. 

'Also' can refer to any part of the sentence: 

Harry was at the party, and Fred was also there. 

I like classical music, but I also like jazz. 

However, 'also' most often refers to the part of the sentence that comes after the subject. So Mr. Bean also plays the guitar probably means 'Mr. Bean plays the guitar as well as other things', not 'Mr. Bean plays the guitar as well as other people'. If you want to say that you have had too, but probably not I also have done that or I have also done that. For the same reason, we don't say 'I also' in 'short answers'. To express the idea that something is exceptional, we use 'even', not 'also'. 

Even when he was every old he used to go for long walks (Not: Also when...). 

You shouldn't be rude, even if you are very angry (Not: ...also if...). 

Note the use of 'also' as a 'sentence-adverb', at the beginning of a sentence, with a common. 

Old cars are cheaper to buy, but they tend to use more petrol. 

Also, there is a greater risk of accidents. 

3. Note that 'also', as well' and 'too' are not normally used in negative sentences. Instead, we used 'not...either' or 'Neither/Nor'... Compare the following: 

He's there too.     He isn't there either. 

I do too.     Neither/Nor do I. 

I also want some coffee.     I don't want any coffee either. 

I like you as well.     I don't like you either. 

 

Nouns Used As Adjective

It's very common to use nouns as adjectives by putting them before other nouns (in 'attributive' position). E.g. car door, cheese pie, disc box, table leg, ring finger. Note the following: 

1. It's not always possible to put 2 nouns together in this way. Sometimes it's necessary to use the construction with 'of' (E.g. a loaf of bread, not *a bread loaf) or the possessive (E.g. a miner's lamp, not *a miner lamp). 
2. When two nouns are used together like this, they are sometimes written as one word, especially when the words are short and the expression is very common (e.g. raincoat, housework). In other cases, hyphens are used (e.g. grave-digger), or the words are written separate4ly (e.g. bicycle chain). Expressions like these are often (but not always) pronounced with the main stress on the first nouns: 'raincoat, housework, 'table leg, shoe-repairer, but apple tart, garden gate. There are no very clear rules about the writing or pronunciation of these combinations: look in the dictionary for information about particular expressions. 
3. When a noun is used as an adjective before another noun, it is almost always singular (even if the meaning is plural). People who repair shoes are called shoe-repairers; people who sell houses are called house agents; packets that you put cigarettes in are called cigarette packets; a brush for teeth is a toothbrush. Plural expressions with numbers also become singular when they are used as adjectives. Compare the following: Five pound > A five-pound note, Ten miles > A ten-mile walk, Three men > A three men-man expedition, Ninepence > A nine-penny stamp
4. Note the use of the ending -ed to turn nouns into adjective in certain expressions. In these cases, the meaning is similar to 'with' or 'having'. Examples: Wheeled transport, A one-eyed sailor A broad-shoulder, Blue-chinned truck-driver...
5. There are some pairs of nouns and adjectives (e.g. gold, golden) which can both be used as adjectives with different meanings. Examples: A god watch > Golden memories, Silk stockings > Silken skin, A lead pipe > leaden sky (= grey and depressing), A stone roof > A stoney silence (= Unsympathetic) 

Adjectives: Special word order with As, How, So, Too

Typical mistakes: 

Your so beautiful country.    They are so strange people.    They are too kind girls to refuse. It's too high meat.    How pretty clothes the wears. 

In a formal style, it is possible to use as, how, so and too in a special structure with an adjective and a noun, but only when there is an indefinite article. The word order is as/how/so/too + adjective + a/an + noun. If there is no indefinite article, this structure is possible. 

    It was as pleasant a day as I have ever spent. 

    Miss A arm in arm with Mr. B - how astonishing a sight!

    How accomplished a pianist is he? 

    However good a stereo you have, you will never get absolutely perfect reproduction. 

    It was so warm a day that we decided to go to the sea. 

    She is too kind a girl to refuse. 

Instead of so and how we can use such and what in ordinary structures with adjective + noun. 

    such a nice day

    such strange people

    What pretty clothes!

    What an astonishing sight!