groundwork for an international conference.

[Silverobama]

Hi,

What does this sentence mean?


He laid the groundwork for an international conference.


Thanks a lot

[bhaisahab]

Hi,

What does this sentence mean?


He laid the groundwork for an international conference.


Thanks a lot

It doesn't mean anything.
"to do the groundwork..." or "to lay the foundations..." are expressions originating in the building/construction industry. "He did the groundwork for..." means he carried out the preparations for an international conference.

[5jj]

It doesn't mean anything.
"to do the groundwork..." or "to lay the foundations..." are expressions originating in the building/construction industry. "He did the groundwork for..." means he carried out the preparations for an international conference.

I agree with you, but the OALD disagrees with both of us. The only example given there is: Officials are laying the groundwork for a summit conference of world leaders..

[bhaisahab]

I agree with you, but the OALD disagrees with both of us. The only example given there is: Officials are laying the groundwork for a summit conference of world leaders..

What are they teaching people? How exactly does one "lay groundwork"?

[probus]

I think it is rather commonly used metaphorically in the sense of prepare for or prepare the way for.

Here is a recent example from a prominent British newspaper.

Budget 2011: How the Chancellor can lay the groundwork for growth - Telegraph

[Silverobama]

So here in my original sentence, it means:

He prepared the way for an international conference.

Am I right?

[probus]

There does not seem to be any real disagreement here. We have all admitted the meaning "to prepare for" so I don't understand why there can be any continuing controversy. You are right.