Negotiation
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EN: The adjective 'glad' is followed by a 'that-clause' (where 'that' is often omitted) to explain the reason for the feeling. This structure is common with emotive adjectives like happy, sad, or surprised.
I'm happy you could come to the party.
EN: The modal verb 'could' is used here to express possibility or the successful arrangement of an event in a specific context.
I'm so relieved we could finish the project on time.
EN: In English-speaking business cultures, starting a meeting or a meal with a brief positive statement like 'I'm glad we could meet' is a standard way to build rapport (small talk) before diving into deeper topics.
EN: Linking Verbs (Look): The verb 'look' is used as a linking verb here to describe the subject's appearance. It is followed by an adjective (stressed) rather than an adverb.
You look tired after the long flight.
EN: Adverbs of Degree (A bit): 'A bit' is used as an adverbial phrase to modify the adjective 'stressed', meaning 'to a small extent' or 'slightly'.
The coffee is a bit cold.
EN: In Western business and social contexts, it is common and polite to comment on a friend's well-being if they appear stressed. 'Is everything okay?' is a standard way to open a supportive conversation.
EN: Present Perfect Continuous Tense (have/has + been + V-ing): This tense is used to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present, or has just finished but has a strong connection to the present. It emphasizes the duration or the process of the activity.
They have been waiting for the bus for twenty minutes.
EN: Preposition 'With' for Collaboration: In business contexts, the preposition 'with' is used after verbs like 'negotiate', 'discuss', or 'collaborate' to indicate the party or person you are interacting with.
We are negotiating with a potential partner.
EN: In Western business culture, 'negotiating' is seen as a standard and expected part of forming a partnership. Using 'Well' at the beginning of the sentence often signals that the speaker is about to provide a detailed explanation or context to a previous question.
EN: Linking Verbs (Sense Verbs): Verbs like 'sound', 'look', or 'feel' are followed by an adjective to describe the subject's state or quality, rather than an adverb.
That idea sounds wonderful for our project.
EN: Imperative Mood: A sentence that starts with a base verb (like 'Tell') to give an order, a request, or an invitation. The subject 'you' is understood but omitted.
Tell me your phone number so I can call you.
EN: In Western business culture, showing empathy and active listening (using phrases like 'That sounds challenging') is a key part of building rapport before diving into technical details.
EN: The Past Simple tense is used to describe actions that were completed at a specific time in the past. In this sentence, 'made' is the past form of 'make', and the time marker 'last Monday' specifies when the action occurred.
They signed the agreement yesterday afternoon.
EN: The preposition 'for' is used here to indicate the purpose or the object of the offer. It connects the action of making an offer to the specific service being discussed.
We requested a quote for the renovation work.
EN: In Western business culture, an 'initial offer' is often expected to be the starting point of a negotiation rather than a final price. It is common to leave some 'wiggle room' for compromise.
EN: Negative Questions: In English, negative questions (using 'didn't', 'don't', etc.) are often used to express surprise or to confirm something the speaker suspects is true based on the context.
Didn't you see the sign?
EN: Declarative Questions: This sentence uses statement word order (Subject + Verb) but ends with a question mark. In spoken English, this is common for checking information or showing active listening.
You're coming with us?
EN: In business contexts, using a negative question like this shows empathy and active listening. It encourages the speaker to provide more details about the conflict or negotiation hurdle.
EN: The conjunction 'because' is used to introduce a subordinate clause that explains the reason for the action in the main clause.
She stayed home because she was feeling unwell.
EN: The Past Simple tense is used here ('sent', 'thought') to describe completed actions and states that occurred at a specific time in the past.
They bought the house because they liked the garden.
EN: In Western business culture, a 'counter-offer' is a standard part of negotiations. It is not seen as an insult but rather as a starting point for finding a mutually beneficial agreement.
EN: The use of 'What were' indicates a question about a past state or condition. 'Were' is the past tense form of the verb 'to be' used with plural subjects (their terms).
What were the results of the meeting?
EN: Prepositional phrases with 'in' are often used to define the context or field where something occurs, such as 'in business negotiations'.
Mistakes are common in scientific research.
EN: In Western business culture, negotiation is seen as a standard and expected part of the process. Asking for a compromise or a counter-offer is not considered rude, but rather a sign of active engagement.
EN: The structure 'X more than Y' is used to express a comparison of quantity or degree. In this sentence, 'thirty percent' acts as the specific measure of difference.
The new model costs ten dollars more than the old one.
EN: The phrase 'what we originally offered' uses a nominal relative clause (starting with 'what') which functions as a noun. It means 'the thing that we offered'.
I don't remember what he said during the meeting.
EN: In Western business culture, an initial counter-offer that is significantly higher (like 30%) is often seen as a starting point for negotiation rather than a final demand. It signals that there is room for 'meeting in the middle'.
EN: The sentence uses the Past Simple tense with the auxiliary verb 'did' to form a question. This is used to ask about completed actions in the past.
Did you finish the report yesterday?
EN: The verb 'try' followed by an infinitive (to + verb) indicates an attempt to achieve a goal or perform a specific action.
He tried to open the window.
EN: In Western business culture, 'finding a compromise' is seen as a positive and necessary skill. It implies that both parties are willing to be flexible to reach a mutually beneficial agreement, rather than one side 'winning' and the other 'losing'.
EN: The verb 'suggest' is followed by a 'that' clause to express a proposal. In formal English, this often uses the subjunctive mood (base verb), but in common conversation, modal verbs like 'could' or 'should' are frequently used to sound more polite or tentative.
He suggested that we should take a break.
EN: The idiom 'meet somewhere in the middle' means to compromise or find a solution that satisfies both parties by making concessions.
Since we couldn't agree on the price, we decided to meet in the middle.
EN: In Western business culture, 'meeting in the middle' is a common and respected negotiation tactic. It demonstrates a willingness to cooperate and value the relationship over winning every point, which is essential for long-term partnerships.
EN: The verb 'sound' is a linking verb (sensory verb) used to describe an impression. When followed by a noun phrase, we must use 'like' (sound + like + noun).
That sounds like a great idea for the project.
EN: Past Simple Question: To ask a question about a finished action in the past, we use the auxiliary verb 'did' followed by the subject and the base form of the main verb.
How did you find the solution?
EN: In Western business culture, giving positive feedback like 'smart strategy' is a common way to build rapport and encourage the speaker during a professional discussion.
EN: The phrase 'be open to something' means to be willing to consider or accept new ideas, suggestions, or possibilities.
The manager is open to suggestions from the team.
EN: Non-restrictive relative clause: The word 'which' is used after a comma to add extra information about the entire preceding clause, rather than just the noun before it.
It rained all day, which was a pity.
EN: In Western business culture, being 'open to discussion' is a positive signal indicating a willingness to compromise and find a win-win solution, rather than being rigid or aggressive.
EN: The sentence uses a 'that-clause' (noun clause) as the object of the verb 'think'. The conjunction 'that' is omitted here, which is common in spoken English. It connects the main thought to the specific idea being expressed.
I think (that) we should start the meeting now.
EN: The word 'when' introduces an adverbial clause of time. It describes the specific situation or timeframe in which the main statement (patience is important) holds true.
Be careful when you sign a new contract.
EN: In Western business culture, negotiation is often seen as a process of building a relationship rather than just a one-time transaction. 'Patience' is highly valued because rushing a deal can be seen as a sign of weakness or lack of professionalism.
EN: The phrase 'agree on' is a phrasal verb used when two or more parties reach a mutual decision or consensus regarding a specific topic, such as terms, a plan, or a price.
The two companies finally agreed on the purchase price.
EN: The Past Simple tense ('agreed') is used here to describe a completed action that happened at a specific time in the past ('this morning').
We finished the project last night.
EN: In Western business culture, 'terms' refers to the specific conditions and requirements in a contract. Reaching an agreement on terms is a critical milestone that often involves significant back-and-forth negotiation.
EN: The Passive Voice (be + past participle) is used here ('was structured') to focus on the arrangement of the deal rather than who arranged it.
The project was completed ahead of schedule.
EN: The word 'So' is used as a discourse marker to transition the conversation and introduce a follow-up question based on previous information.
So, what do you want to do now?
EN: In business contexts, 'structuring a deal' refers to the specific terms, conditions, and payment methods agreed upon, rather than just the final price.
EN: The phrase 'in exchange for' is a prepositional idiom used to indicate that one thing is given or received as a replacement or trade for another.
I gave him my apple in exchange for his orange.
EN: Comparative adjectives (longer, lower) are used to compare two things. They are typically formed by adding '-er' to short adjectives.
This new model has a lower energy consumption.
EN: In Western business culture, 'give and take' is essential. Offering a longer commitment (contract period) to secure a discount (lower price) is a standard negotiation tactic known as 'leveraging volume or time'.
EN: The word 'something' is an indefinite pronoun followed by a relative clause (they wanted) where the relative pronoun 'that' or 'which' is omitted. This is common when the pronoun acts as the object of the clause.
I found something I like.
EN: The word 'both' is used to refer to two people or things together. It can function as a determiner before a noun phrase (both sides).
Both students passed the exam.
EN: In Western business culture, a 'compromise' is often viewed positively as a sign of successful negotiation and flexibility, rather than a sign of weakness.
EN: Passive Voice (Past Simple): Formed using 'was/were' + past participle. It is used when the action itself or the receiver of the action is more important than who performed it.
The report was finished late last night.
EN: Adverbs of Time (Just before): 'Just' is used as an intensifier to emphasize that something happened a very short time before a specific event.
He arrived just before the meeting started.
EN: In Western business culture, signing a contract before lunch is often seen as a milestone that allows for a 'celebratory lunch' or a more relaxed meal, marking the transition from negotiation to partnership.
EN: The adjective 'happy' is followed by the preposition 'for' when expressing shared joy for someone else's success or good fortune.
We are all so happy for your promotion!
EN: The Past Simple tense is used here to describe a completed action in the past ('handled'). The adverb 'well' modifies the verb to indicate the quality of the action.
She handled the difficult situation professionally.
EN: In Western business culture, it is common to offer personal praise and emotional support ('I'm happy for you') even in professional contexts after a successful negotiation. This helps build stronger interpersonal relationships.
EN: Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle): This tense is used to describe an action or state that started in the past and continues to the present moment.
This book has always inspired me to work harder.
EN: Gerund after Preposition: In the phrase 'about staying calm', 'staying' is a gerund (verb+ing) because it follows the preposition 'about'.
She is thinking about moving to a new city.
EN: In Western business culture, 'staying calm' and 'emotional intelligence' are highly valued traits during negotiations. Expressing gratitude for personal advice is common among colleagues who have a friendly relationship.
EN: The Zero Conditional is used for general truths or situations that are likely to happen. In this case, 'If' introduces a condition, and the main clause 'just call me' acts as an imperative (command or request) for future action.
If you have any questions, please let me know.
EN: The phrasal verb 'talk through' means to discuss something thoroughly or in detail, often to understand it better or solve a problem.
We need to talk through the details of the project before we start.
EN: In Western business culture, offering to 'talk through' a problem is a common way to show support and mentorship. It emphasizes collaboration and emotional support rather than just giving a direct solution.
EN: The imperative structure 'let's' (let us) is used to make a suggestion or invite someone to do something together. It is followed by the base form of the verb.
Let's take a short break before the next meeting.
EN: The verb 'deserve' is a transitive verb used to indicate that someone should have something because of their actions or qualities. It is often used in the present simple tense to state a current fact or opinion.
You worked hard all day, so you deserve a rest.
EN: In Western business culture, it is common to celebrate the conclusion of a successful negotiation or a hard week with a meal. Using the phrase 'we deserve it' acknowledges the mutual effort and relieves the stress of the work period.
EN: The Present Perfect Tense (have/has + past participle) is used here to show that a past action (working hard all week) has a direct result or relevance in the present (deserving a reward).
You have worked hard, so you can take a break.
EN: The verb 'earn' means to deserve something because of your efforts or behavior. It is often used with rewards like a meal, a break, or respect.
After the long hike, we earned a cold drink.
EN: In Western business culture, it is common to celebrate the conclusion of a difficult negotiation or a busy week with a 'celebratory meal.' This acknowledges the hard work and helps build stronger personal relationships between colleagues or friends.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To compromise; for both parties to give up some of their demands to reach an agreement.
To discuss something in detail to understand it or find a solution.
To have formal discussions with someone in order to reach an agreement in business.
Giving one thing and receiving another thing in return.
The specific conditions, requirements, or provisions set out in a legal agreement or contract.
The first formal proposal made by one party to another during a negotiation.
The specific way the components of a business deal or financial arrangement are organized.
The specific duration of time during which a legal agreement is valid and in effect.