The OED lists a number of uses of "As well as" in conjunctive role, dating way back. This, from Mallory, is typical: 1470-85 MALORY Arthur IX. xxxvi. 397 Whan men ben hote in dedes of armes ofte they hurte their frendes as wel as their foes. In this example, you could think "their friends" as news and "their foes" almost as given, so that may be a useful pattern to emulate. It's interesting that their one example of a structure in subject position is treated as singular: 1821 CRAIG Lect. Drawing etc. vii. 404 The back-ground as well as other parts is dotted or stippled. I think the commentary in Karl's post is by far the most thoughtful. In a nutshell, common sense would call for some flexibility even though prescriptive grammars present the singular as "correct." Craig To join or leave this LISTSERV list, please visit the list's web interface at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/ateg.html and select "Join or leave the list" Visit ATEG's web site at http://ateg.org/