Thread:Jdogno7/@comment-5411265-20151128084613/@comment-27081137-20151130005348

Just a reminder - the phrase 'as well as' should be used in a comparison of equality, in a contrast of equal statements, or as a complex preposition. (E. g. "I lost my phone as well as my keys.") It should not be used to combine phrases and clauses as a coordinating conjuction in place of 'and' unless it is combining, comparing, or contrasting two similar phrases/clauses of equal value. (E. g. "Mean what you say, as well as say what you mean.")

Notice that in both of these correct usages, the phrase could be replaced with 'and' to no detriment of the sentence or its meaning. The first rule of writing is to avoid complication, so in my opinion it would be best to refrain from using the phrase in order to make things simpler. 'And' works just fine in a sentence and tends to flow better when reading.

Happy editing!