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.

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.

Back and again have similar meanings, but there are some differences.

Back with a verb

Combine each pair of sentences into one simple sentence by using nouns or phrases in apposition.

1. That is my father. His name is James.