A noun clause acts like a noun. It can serve all the purposes a noun serves in a sentence. In the following examples we are comparing the five functions of a noun with that of a noun clause. The sentences are patterned on a similar fashion, but in the first one we have used a noun and in the second one we have used a noun clause.

Expressions with prepositions and particles

A few words which are followed by a certain preposition or adverb particle in British English is followed by a different preposition or particle in American English.

The structure be + infinitive is used to talk about official plans and arrangements in a formal style.

The Prime Minister is to visit Africa next month.
We are to get a wage rise in May.

Any is a determiner that suggests an indefinite amount or number. It is used when it is not important to say how much or many we were thinking about. Any is often used in questions and negatives. It is not very common in affirmative clauses.

The same word sometimes has different meanings in British and American English. For example, mad means crazy in British English (BE). In American English (AE), it means angry. Sometimes, the same idea may be expressed by different words. For example, the vehicle that is called lorry in British English is called truck in American English. Here are a few words that have different spelling or meaning in American and British English.

Ago is usually preceded by an expression of time.

The train went out ten minutes ago. (= It is ten minutes since the train went out.)
He died two years ago.
She phoned a few minutes ago.
It happened a long time ago.