How to Negotiate in English

Now we are going to learn about how to negotiate in English, something you should know how to do if you have a job or are involved in business meetings.

Negotiate means “having a formal discussion with someone in order to reach an agreement with them“

These are some examples of sentences with the verb “negotiate”:

We want to negotiate a settlement that is fair to both sides.
This company requires that we don’t negotiate with any other company.
I’m negotiating a new contract.
The CEO negotiated a deal with their rival.

To negotiate, you need to learn how:

#1	Get the Attention you Need
#2	State your Position / Make a Request
#3	Reject a Request
#4	Accept a Request
#5	Expressions for Clarification
#6	Closing the Deal

Now let’s check everything you need to know to negotiate in English

Table of Contents

1 Useful Phrases Before Stating your Requests
2 State your Position: Would Like to
3 State your Position: Want to
4 How to Reject a Request
5 Accept the Request or Point
6 Expressions for Clarification
7 Closing the Deal
8 Conversation: Negotiation in English
9 Pronunciation: Negotiate
10 More English Lessons

Useful Phrases Before Stating your Requests

These are some useful phrases that you can use before starting a negotiation:

#1	I would like to have a word with you
#2	Can I have a word with you?
#3	Can I ask you a question?
#4	Can I have a quick word with you?
#5	Can I make a suggestion?
#6	Can I talk to you for a minute?

State your Position: Would Like to

First, you have to state your position in a clear and concise way.

For example:

You can use the expression “I would like the company to” to state what you want the company to do for you

This is the structure to make these kinds of sentences

Structure	Example
Phrase	I would like the company to
Verb	provide
Complement	for transportation

These are some examples of sentences with that structure:

I would like the company to give us additional days off in December.
I would like the company to pay for our lunch.
I would like the company to give us days off so we can finish our major.
I would like the company to provide free transportation.
I would like the company to give us more perks.

State your Position: Want to

You can use the expression “I want the company to” to state what you want the company to do for you

This is the structure to make these kinds of sentences:

Structure	Example
Phrase	I want the company to
Verb	provide
Complement	free transportation

These are some examples of sentences with that structure:

We want the company to pay the school bonus by the end of January.
We want the company to fix the air conditioning.
We want the company to rent a parking lot for the employees.
We want the company to give us custom email addresses.

How to Reject a Request

Second, you can deny the request and provide reasons for that.

There are many expressions we can use to reject a request:

#1	I’m afraid that’s out of the question.
#2	I’m afraid that’s not acceptable to us.
#3	I understand your position but…
#4	I understand where you are coming from but…
#5	I am afraid we can not accept that.
#6	I’m afraid that we can not accept your offer
#7	That’s not exactly as we see it.

These are examples of exchanges in which requests are rejected:

We want the company to rent a parking lot for the employees
I don’t think it is possible, we don’t have a budget for that

I would like the company to pay for our lunch
I am sorry but that’s a benefit we don’t offer here

We want the company to pay the school bonus by the end of December
I don’t think that’s possible, Human Resources won’t approve it

I would like the company to give us days off so we can continue the university
I am afraid we can’t do that since many employees are university students

Accept the Request or Point

These are some expressions to accept a request or point:

#1	This is a fair suggestion.
#2	That’s a fair suggestion
#3	I agree with your suggestion
#4	You have a strong point there
#5	You have a good point.
#6	I don’t see any problem with that.
#7	I think that’s a great idea.
#8	I think your proposal is acceptable.

Now we are going to check some examples in which requests are accepted

We want the company to fix the air conditioning
We are doing our best effort to fix the problem

I would like the company to give us additional days off in December
I think that you can have a few more days off around Christmas day

I would like the company to give us days off so we can continue the university
I think that’s a great idea. Let me help you with that.

I think we should hire more university students
I think your proposal is acceptable.

Expressions for Clarification

These are some common expressions for clarification

#1	Let me see if I got your point.
#2	I’m not sure I understood your position.
#3	What do you mean by that?
#4	If I understand you correctly
#5	Please correct me if I’m wrong
#6	As I understand it, you’re saying that
#7	What do you have in mind exactly?

Closing the Deal

These are some useful expressions to indicate that the requests have been formally accepted

I’m willing to work with that.
I’m satisfied with this decision.
I think we should get this in writing.
Let me communicate this to the human resources department

Conversation: Negotiation in English

This is an example of a negotiation conversation in English with more than one exchange.

Mike	Hello boss
Jessica	Hi Mike
Mike	I have a question
Jessica	How can I help you?
Mike	You know I study Business
Jessica	I am aware of that
Mike	I would like to finish my major. I need some days off
Jessica	That’s great news, What days do you need?
Mike	I need Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
Jessica	Wow, That’s a lot of days
Mike	I know, can we do something about it?
Jessica	I can give you two days off but you have to work on the weekends
Mike	That would be fine
Jessica	Let me talk to Human Resources
Mike	Thank you