Lesson
Reach agreements through discussion
Text
Negotiating is the process of discussing terms to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. In business, it often involves offers, counteroffers, compromises, and clear closing language.
Table
| Phrase | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Let's start with your proposal | Opening the discussion | Let's start with your proposal so we understand your priorities. |
| We're willing to... | Indicating flexibility | We're willing to extend the delivery date by two weeks. |
| Can you do X in exchange for Y? | Proposing a trade-off | Can you reduce the unit cost in exchange for a larger order? |
| Meet me halfway | Requesting compromise | If you can cut 8%, I can meet you halfway at 10%. |
| That's our best offer | Closing / final position | We can include additional training, but that's our best offer. |
| Let's table this for now | Pausing the discussion | If we need more data, let's table this for now and revisit next week. |
| What's your bottom line? | Asking for the final position | Before we proceed, what's your bottom line on price? |
Tip
Tone matters in negotiation. Use modal verbs and softening phrases to be professional and collaborative.
Politeness + clarity = better chances of agreement
Example
Could we consider a longer contract in exchange for a lower monthly fee?
We can agree to early delivery if you confirm the order this week.
That's our best offer, but we could include one year of support.
I understand your point; perhaps we can split the additional cost.
Tip
Avoid pitfalls that derail negotiations. These mistakes are common across learners of English.
Be clear, polite, and specific to keep negotiations productive.
Quiz
Choose the most appropriate reply to the offer: "We can reduce the price by 7% if you sign a two-year contract."
Hint: Acknowledge the offer and propose a constructive adjustment.
Correct!
This reply acknowledges the offer politely and proposes a reasonable adjustment (payment terms) — a collaborative next step.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: We appreciate the offer; could we adjust the payment terms to quarterly?
This reply acknowledges the offer politely and proposes a reasonable adjustment (payment terms) — a collaborative next step.
Quiz
Complete: _____ meet halfway at 10%?
Hint: Use a polite question phrase to propose a compromise
Correct!
'Could we' is a polite way to propose a compromise in a negotiation.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: Could we
'Could we' is a polite way to propose a compromise in a negotiation.
Quiz
Which sentence is the most polite way to disagree while keeping the negotiation open?
Hint: Acknowledge the other party and suggest continuing to find options
Correct!
This sentence acknowledges the other side and proposes exploring alternatives — a polite, collaborative approach.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: I see your point, but could we explore an alternative that helps both sides?
This sentence acknowledges the other side and proposes exploring alternatives — a polite, collaborative approach.
Expression
to compromise by each party making concessions
If you reduce the price by 5%, we'll meet you halfway and increase the order.
Vocabulary
something given up or yielded during negotiation
They made a concession on delivery time to close the deal.
Expression
the final, non-negotiable point or minimum acceptable outcome
Before we proceed, what's your bottom line on monthly cost?
Vocabulary
an offer made in response to another offer, changing some terms
They sent a counteroffer asking for longer warranty periods.
GrammarPoint
Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement — your fallback option if negotiations fail
Know your BATNA before you start negotiating so you understand your limits.
Vocabulary
the point at which you will stop negotiating and walk away from a deal
Set your walk-away point in advance to avoid accepting a bad deal.