able to negotiate

USAGE SUMMARY

"able to negotiate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the capability of someone or a group of people to reach agreement on an issue through discourse and compromise. Example sentence: The business team was successful in the meeting because of their ability to negotiate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Would it be able to negotiate what it wanted?

The New York Times

will be able to negotiate it for full value.

Cornell University

But MetLife should be able to negotiate a lower price.

The New York Times

"We would be able to negotiate from a stronger position".

The Guardian

I was able to negotiate an earlier flight".

The New York Times

"They've never been able to negotiate them away from us".

The New York Times

We must be able to negotiate and sign trade deals.

The Guardian

It would be better able to negotiate and compete with global economic powers, too.

The New York Times

However you may be able to negotiate to pay the money back over time.

Independent

Being a cash deal, I was able to negotiate down the price.

The New York Times

She was able to negotiate several thousand dollars off, and bought the apartment for $342,000.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing negotiation skills, use "able to negotiate" to emphasize a person's or group's competence in reaching agreements. For example, "The diplomat was able to negotiate a ceasefire."

Common error

Avoid using "able to negotiate" when you actually mean the 'willingness' to negotiate. "Able" refers to capability, while willingness implies a choice. For instance, say "They are willing to negotiate", not "They are able to negotiate" if willingness is what you mean.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "able to negotiate" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating someone's capacity or capability to engage in negotiations. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase. This use is consistent with the examples provided in the Ludwig database.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

21%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "able to negotiate" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe the capability to engage in negotiations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general communication. Its frequency in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance. When using this phrase, ensure you are emphasizing capability rather than willingness and consider alternatives like "capable of negotiating" or "in a position to negotiate" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capable of negotiating

Replaces "able" with "capable", emphasizing inherent ability.

authorized to negotiate

Similar to 'empowered', but stresses formal authorization.

empowered to negotiate

Highlights the authority or permission granted to negotiate.

eligible to negotiate

Focuses on meeting the requirements or qualifications for negotiation.

in a position to negotiate

Focuses on the situational advantage that allows negotiation.

entitled to negotiate

Highlights a right or claim to negotiate.

prepared to negotiate

Indicates readiness and willingness to engage in negotiation.

ready to negotiate

Synonymous with 'prepared', but slightly more informal.

in a state to negotiate

Implies a condition or circumstance that allows for negotiation.

fit to negotiate

Suggests being suitable or qualified for negotiation.

FAQs

How can I use "able to negotiate" in a sentence?

Use "able to negotiate" to describe someone's capacity to reach agreements through discussion. For example: "Our representative was "able to negotiate" a favorable deal."

What are some alternatives to "able to negotiate"?

Alternatives include "capable of negotiating", "in a position to negotiate", or "empowered to negotiate", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "ability to negotiate" instead of "able to negotiate"?

"Ability to negotiate" is a noun phrase that refers to the general skill, while "able to negotiate" is an adjective phrase describing a current capability. For example, "She has the ability to negotiate effectively" versus "She is "able to negotiate" a settlement now."

What's the difference between "able to negotiate" and "willing to negotiate"?

"Able to negotiate" describes the capacity or competence to negotiate, while "willing to negotiate" describes the readiness or desire to do so. One refers to skill, the other to intent.