"Last week EU leaders said at a summit that they would begin preparations to move into "phase two" of the Brexit negotiations in December, a step forward that would allow London to discuss its future trade relationship with the bloc." (Reuters.)
Is preparations to move into "phase two" of the Brexit negotiations in December a noun phrase and the direct object in the content clause in the sentence above?
Yes, you are spot on. Last week EU leaders said at a summit that they would begin [ preparations to move into "phase two" of the Brexit negotiations in December ] , a step forward that would allow London to discuss its future trade relationship with the bloc . "Preparations" is clearly a noun.
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Yes, you are spot on.
Last week EU leaders said at a summit that they would begin [preparations to move into "phase two" of the Brexit negotiations in December], a step forward that would allow London to discuss its future trade relationship with the bloc.
"Preparations" is clearly a noun. It has the infinitival clause "to move into phase two of t