Breakdown of Посол выразил обеспокоенность до начала переговоров.
начало
beginning
до
before, until
посол
the ambassador
переговоры
the negotiations
Questions & Answers about Посол выразил обеспокоенность до начала переговоров.
How does выразить обеспокоенность fit the lesson on formal analytical predicates, and what is the simple verb equivalent?
This is a classic 'light verb construction' used in formal, journalistic, or diplomatic speech. Instead of using the simple verb обеспокоиться (to become concerned), Russian uses the verb выразить (to express) plus the noun обеспокоенность (concern). This shifts the focus from an internal feeling to the formal act of stating that feeling outwardly.
Why is обеспокоенность the direct object here but doesn't have a typical accusative ending like -у?
Обеспокоенность is a feminine noun ending in a soft sign (part of the third declension), similar to ночь or тетрадь. For these nouns, the accusative case form is identical to the nominative case. So even though it is the direct object of выразил, its spelling doesn't change.
Could I use перед началом instead of до начала to mean 'before the start'?
Yes, but there is a subtle difference in nuance. До начала simply establishes the timeline: at any point prior to the start. Перед началом usually implies the period immediately before the start, as if they were right on the threshold of the negotiations.
Why is переговоров in the genitive plural? Does the singular word переговор exist?