Can we really put as well not only in the end of the sentence?

Question

My question is a bit similar to this discussion: use-of-as-well-in-the-beginning-of-a-sentence. However, I still didn't get a clear answer to the related problem. I want the firm answer whether it's allowed or not.

According to Merriam- Webster, there's an example when they put as well in the middle. It says:

We might as well check out some local attractions while we're in town.

As we know, Merriam-Webster always provides synonyms to the words we are looking for. And the synonym mentions also. In this case, I assume as well can be replaced by also, what's more synonymous to too.

Nevertheless, after asking this problem to my senior (a person in my English group), he said perhaps I mistakenly considered it as an idiom might as well or may as well (wich has different meaning) and conviced me if as well always goes in the end of the sentence; yet I believe that the example sentence I've quoted above is discussing about as well that synonymous with (also/too).

By the way, here's the link about idiom Might/may as well I'm talking about: idiom might may as well

Answer 1

• You may as well serve dinner now.
• You might as well service dinner now.

The Merriam Webster example is "not in the middle". It is actually using the idiom.

That is an idiomatic usage where the idiom "may as well" means: do something in a situation that has been frustrating or annoying.

WHEREAS

as well on its own just means "and also do some other thing". It is usually only used in speaking and not in formal writing.

Example: Person 1: I'm going to clean up this room right now! Person 2: Do the bathroom as well. [too.]

That usage can never some at the beginning of a sentence, though it might come in the middle:

Person 1: I'm leaving the dirty dishes in the sink for you (to wash). Person 2: You can leave the glasses as well but take those dirty sneakers off the kitchen table.

[Please note: as well as x is a comparative and not related to what is explained above.]

Answer 2

However, I still didn't get a clear answer to the related problem. I want the firm answer whether it's allowed or not.

Some people will be happy to tell you that you can or can't do X, Y, Z but unfortunately, these types of rules doesn't exist in English (there's no equivalent to the Académie Française)— as with most things, it's down to a matter of style or preference.

But in my opinion, "as well" can be used anywhere —

• At the start of a sentence: "I was sick last week, but I'm feeling great today. As well as I ever have!"
• At the end of a sentence: "If you go to the shops get some milk and some bread as well."
• In the middle of a sentence: "I did up the whole bathroom myself. I painted the ceiling as well as the walls, retiled the floor and changed the taps."