He plays tennis as well as his father DOES?

I reckon it doesn't matter, since both of your sentences keep the meaning... However, I'm waiting for the experts' comment on this very one...

Hi Ruslana,

The sentences (3) and (4) mean same thing. In an elliptical sentence (#3), the final word can be dropped. To me, the sentence (1) has certain ambiguities. As a conjunction, "as well as" generally means 'not only..but also’,’ besides', 'in addition'...etc. So, there is a chance that one might interpret the first sentence as 'He plays not only tennis but also his father'.

That's interesting. I found a different ambiguity in #1:

1a. He plays tennis with as much skill as his father.

1b. He plays tennis, as does his father.

MrP

Oh, I see the ambiguity in the sentence (1) now. I can say, for example, "He plays tennis as well as football". And it is correct then, isn't it? But when I write "father" as the final word, it really may imply "He plays his father"! :-D

MrPedantic, is it correct to use "does" in the end of the sentense 1b, "He plays tennis, as his father does"? Or I must place it ONLY where you did?

Hello Ruslana

Yes, native speakers would also say "he plays tennis, as his father does"; though it's possible that some teachers would require the inverted version.

#2 is fine with "does" as the final word. I can't see any ambiguities – though a more ingenious member may!

MrP

Thank you, MrPedantic!

And thank you, Rishonly and YoHf!

You're welcome!

MrP

There may be, I think, a little bit difference between "He plays tennis as well as his father (does). " and " He plays tennis, as his father does".

First sentence means "He plays tennis well and his father plays tennis well" , so with "does" or without "does" is the same meaning.

Second sentence means "He plays tennis and his father plays tennis", we don't know "He or his fath

Kyawphonehlaing, hello!

Thank you for more precise definition. Honestly, I saw that semantic difference.
Anyway, I appreciate your help very much.

:-)