English usage

This is a guide to help learners to communicate easily in both speech and writing through a better understanding of the English language.
Affront // effrontery
An affront is an offensive act or a show of disrespect.
Bob’s conduct was an affront to the director.
‘Effrontery’ means ‘impudent boldness or barefaced audacity.’
James had the effrontery to ask for a free ride from the minister.
Afraid
‘Afraid’ means ‘feeling fear of, apprehensive or filled with concern or regret.’
However, the word has undergone an unwanted extension of its original meaning in sentences such as:
I am afraid he hasn’t turned up yet.
Afterwards / afterward
‘Afterwards’ means ‘after an event or time that has already been mentioned’
‘Afterward’ is the usual American spelling.
Agenda
An agenda is a list of problems or subjects that an organisation is planning to deal with.
Measures to combat terrorism will be high on the agenda.
Aggravate
‘Aggravate’ means ‘to make a bad situation worse.’
The country’s financial situation has been further aggravated by the need to settle outstanding loans.
The word ‘aggravate’ is also used to make someone angry or annoyed.
What really aggravates me is the way he treats me.
Agnostic / atheist
An agnostic is someone who believes that people cannot know whether God exists or not.
An atheist believes that God does not exist.
Ago / since
The adverb ‘ago’ is used to show how far back in the past something happened.
Amanda’s husband died ten years ago.
I saw the little girl a moment ago.
We moved to a new house some time ago.
‘Since’ means ‘from a particular time or event in the past until the present’
I haven’t played cricket since I left school.
Agreement of verbs
Verbs must agree with their subjects in number and person. Sometimes difficulties arise in the following situations:
Collective nouns
The singular is more appropriate when the emphasis is on the body as a whole or a unit.
The committee has agreed upon its program.
The plural is used when the emphasis is on the collection of individuals.
The committee were divided about the merits of the scheme.
Words joined by ‘and’ usually take a plural verb.
A man and a woman were waiting in the queue.
If the linked words are closely associated, a singular verb is used.
Bread and butter is my staple diet.
Words joined by ‘with’
If the subject is singular, the verb is singular.
The principal, together with teachers, is on the stage.
Either and neither are always followed by a singular verb when there are two singular subjects.
Either Fred or Sue is sure to pass the examination.
Neither business expertise nor any knowledge of printing technology is essential.