a subject of negotiation

USAGE SUMMARY

"a subject of negotiation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that describes something that is discussed or argued about in order to reach an agreement or compromise. For example: The issue of who will do the dishes was a subject of negotiation between the roommates.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Our republic's status will not be a subject of negotiation," says the republic's speaker.

The Economist

Mr. Daqduq is likely to be a subject of negotiation when Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki of Iraq meets with President Obama at the White House on Monday.

The New York Times

Before the creation of Florida as a State, this question had been a subject of negotiation between the State of Florida and the United States.

University of Chicago

At a Remarriage Unromantic and macabre as it may sound, there are situations when estate planning should be a subject of negotiation and a business-like agreement between spouses or prospective spouses.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Zoellick has already offered to make textiles and clothing a subject of negotiations in future years.

The New York Times

Making our citizenship a subject of negotiations would send out the clear and dangerous message that it is temporary, and open to question.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It was a tremendous help to us," she said of the $20 million grant, a subject of negotiations well before the LIPA board approved it in February as part of the tax settlement.

The New York Times

"I can tell you that extension is not and has not been a subject of negotiations at this point," a senior US official said, adding that it would be "difficult, but possible" to complete a deal by Monday night.

The Guardian

Not that the placement of books in the shelves at the back of the store isn't fought over too: whether a book is displayed "face-out", or merely "spine-out", is a subject of much negotiation.

The Guardian - Books

While the future of what has become known as the "two state solution" remains in doubt, no question exists as to whether Jerusalem is in fact Israel's capital and, contrary to statements by various prior U.S. administrations, this issue is not even a subject of any negotiation.

Huffington Post

As a nonmilitary use of nuclear energy, it has not been a subject of the negotiations.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a subject of negotiation", ensure that the context clearly indicates that discussion and compromise are possible and intended. For example, specify the parties involved in the negotiation.

Common error

Avoid using "a subject of negotiation" when the issue is non-negotiable or already decided, as this creates confusion and false expectations. For example, do not describe ethical principles or fundamental rights as "a subject of negotiation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a subject of negotiation" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a specific topic or issue that is open to discussion and potential compromise between parties. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a subject of negotiation" is a noun phrase used to describe a topic or issue that is open to discussion and potential compromise, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and widely understood, this phrase appears relatively infrequently in written English. Its primary function is to indicate that an agreement needs to be reached through discussion and compromise, particularly in formal contexts like business, legal, and political discourse. The sources reflect that this phrase appears in News & Media, Academia and Science. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context makes it clear that discussion and compromise are indeed possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a negotiable item

Emphasizes the characteristic of being able to be negotiated.

an area of compromise

Focuses on the area in which it's possible to reach an agreement.

a matter for discussion

Replaces "subject of negotiation" with a more general term for something being talked about. It doesn't necessarily imply bargaining or compromise.

an item under discussion

Refers to the item which is actually under discussion.

a topic for agreement

Focuses on reaching an agreement, which is the goal of negotiation.

an open question

Indicates that the issue is not yet settled and remains to be decided, similar to being a subject of negotiation.

a premise to be debated

Highlights that the premise needs to be debated.

a deal to be struck

Highlights the sense of a deal, or agreement that needs to be achieved.

a point of contention

Highlights the conflict or disagreement aspect, whereas "a subject of negotiation" focuses on the potential for resolution.

a compromise candidate

Shows that a candidate is the result of a negotiation and agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "a subject of negotiation" in a sentence?

Use "a subject of negotiation" to indicate that something is open to discussion and agreement. For example, "The terms of the contract are "a subject of negotiation" between the parties."

What are some alternatives to "a subject of negotiation"?

You can use alternatives like "a matter for discussion", "an open question", or "a negotiable item depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a subject of negotiations" instead of "a subject of negotiation"?

While "a subject of negotiations" is grammatically acceptable, "a subject of negotiation" is more common when referring to a single topic being discussed. "Negotiations" typically refers to the overall process, while "negotiation" refers to the specific topic.

When is it inappropriate to describe something as "a subject of negotiation"?

It is inappropriate when the matter is non-negotiable, already decided, or involves fundamental principles that cannot be compromised. In such cases, it's better to use terms that reflect the fixed nature of the issue.