Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

after|wards ◆◇◇ /ɑː ftə ^r wə ^r dz, æ f-/ The form afterward is also used, mainly in American English. ADV If you do something or if something happens afterwards , you do it or it happens after a particular event or time that has already been mentioned. □  Shortly afterwards, police arrested four suspects. □  James was taken to hospital but died soon afterwards.

after|word /ɑː ftə ^r wɜː ^r d/ N‑SING An afterword is a short essay at the end of a book, usually written by the author.

again ◆◆◆ /əge n, əge I n/

1 ADV [ADV with v] You use again to indicate that something happens a second time, or after it has already happened before. □  He kissed her again. □  Again there was a short silence. □  I don't ever want to go through anything like that again.

2 ADV [ADV after v] You use again to indicate that something is now in a particular state or place that it used to be in. □  He opened his attaché-case, removed a folder, then closed it again. □  I started to feel good about myself again.

3 ADV You can use again when you want to point out that there is a similarity between the subject that you are talking about now and a previous subject. □  Again the pregnancy was very similar to my previous two.

4 ADV You can use again in expressions such as but again , then again , and there again when you want to introduce a remark which contrasts with or weakens something that you have just said. □  It's easier to take a taxi. But then again you can't always get one.

5 ADV You can add again to the end of your question when you are asking someone to tell you something that you have forgotten or that they have already told you. [SPOKEN ] □  Sorry, what's your name again?

6 ADV You use again in expressions such as half as much again when you are indicating how much greater one amount is than another amount that you have just mentioned or are about to mention. □  Properties in the seaside resorts cost at least half as much again as those in the surrounding country.

7 PHRASE You can use again and again or time and again to emphasize that something happens many times. [EMPHASIS ] □  He would go over his work again and again until he felt he had it right.

8now and again → see now

9once again → see once

against ◆◆◆ /əge nst, əge I nst/ In addition to the uses shown below, against is used in phrasal verbs such as 'come up against', 'guard against', and 'hold against'. 1 PREP If one thing is leaning or pressing against another, it is touching it. □  She leaned against him. □  On a table pushed against a wall there were bottles of water. □  …the rain beating against the window panes.

2 PREP If you are against something such as a plan, policy, or system, you think it is wrong, bad, or stupid. □  Taxes are unpopular–it is understandable that voters are against them. □  Joan was very much against commencing drug treatment. □  …a march to protest against job losses. ● ADV [ADV after v] Against is also an adverb. □  The vote for the suspension of the party was 283 in favour with 29 against.

3 PREP If you compete against someone in a game, you try to beat them. □  The tour will include games against the Australian Barbarians.

4 PREP If you take action against someone or something, you try to harm them. □  Security forces are still using violence against opponents of the government.

5 PREP If you take action against a possible future event, you try to prevent it. □  …the fight against crime. □  I must warn you against raising your hopes.