Cool MateAlso vs By the way vs Furthermore
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Also
By the way
Furthermore
| Also | By the way | Furthermore | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɔːlsəʊ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɔːlsəʊ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //baɪ ðə weɪ//🇺🇸 //baɪ ðə weɪ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌfɜːðəˈmɔː(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌfɜːrðərˈmɔːr/"]/ |
| Meaning | in addition to something else | An expression used to add extra information. | Also; in addition to what was said before. |
| Example | She's fluent in French and German. She also speaks a little Italian. | I enjoyed the movie. By the way, did you see the reviews? | He said he had not discussed the matter with her. Furthermore, he had not even contacted her. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb | |
| Collocations | also known as, also includes, can also be | by the way, can I add, mention by the way, bring up by the way | furthermore, it is important, furthermore, we should consider, furthermore, studies show |
| Antonyms | otherwise, differently | directly, mainly, explicitly, primarily | however, nevertheless |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'too' — both mean similar things but are used differently., 'Also' placed incorrectly in sentences — it generally goes before the main verb. | Omitting it in formal writing., Confusing it with 'in other words'., Using it at the beginning of a sentence. | Using 'furthermore' in informal speech too often., Confusing 'furthermore' with 'besides' which can have a different tone., Placing a comma before 'furthermore' incorrectly in sentence structure. |
| Usage notes | Use 'also' to add information. It is appropriate in both spoken and written English. Avoid using it at the beginning of sentences in very formal writing. | Use when introducing an unrelated topic or adding a detail. Avoid in very formal contexts. | Use 'furthermore' to add information in formal writing or speech. It's less common in casual conversation. Avoid starting sentences with it in informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Also vs By the way vs Furthermore
What's the difference between Also, By the way, and Furthermore?
Also: in addition to something else By the way: An expression used to add extra information. Furthermore: Also; in addition to what was said before.
Which is more formal: Also, By the way, and Furthermore?
Furthermore is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Also, By the way, and Furthermore?
Also is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Also, By the way, and Furthermore?
Furthermore is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Also, By the way, and Furthermore the same CEFR level?
Also: A1, By the way: B1, Furthermore: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Also: She's fluent in French and German. She also speaks a little Italian. By the way: I enjoyed the movie. By the way, did you see the reviews? Furthermore: He said he had not discussed the matter with her. Furthermore, he had not even contacted her.
Can I use Also, By the way, and Furthermore interchangeably?
Not always. Also, By the way, and Furthermore are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.