be negotiating with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be negotiating with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ongoing discussions or talks between parties regarding an agreement or contract. Example: "The company is currently in a position to be negotiating with potential partners for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Had they tried for perfect, SFDRR negotiators would still be negotiating, with no end in sight.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

They do not wish to appear to be negotiating with us or responding to our pressures".

Independent

"Do you think now is the time to be negotiating with these groups?" he asked.

The New York Times

The Dolphins were said to be negotiating with Long for at least a week.

The New York Times

"We had a discussion: Should we be negotiating with the Freedom Caucus on this?

The New Yorker

However, LDV is understood to be negotiating with two potential investors from Asia.

The Guardian - Business

The Nets will most likely be negotiating with Vlade Divac, the Sacramento Kings center, who is Partizan's team president.

The New York Times - Sports

In the next year or two, we're much more likely to be negotiating with Iran than bombing it".

The New Yorker

Both Shell and Total are rumoured to be negotiating with Abramovich to buy a £2.5bn stake in Sibneft.

The Guardian

It's a small town, and we're going to be negotiating with these executives and agents again and again".

The New York Times

This time around, Obama holds a much stronger position, yet for a couple of days there he seemed once again to be negotiating with himself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, clearly identify all parties involved to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be negotiating with" when the negotiations have already concluded. Instead, use past tense verbs like "negotiated" or "reached an agreement with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be negotiating with" functions as a verb phrase, specifically describing an ongoing action of engaging in discussions to reach an agreement. Ludwig AI validates its common usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be negotiating with" is a very common verb phrase used to describe ongoing discussions between parties with the goal of reaching an agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. While predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in formal business contexts. Remember to use it to describe ongoing actions and avoid it when referring to completed negotiations. Alternatives include "be in talks with" or "be in discussion with", offering slight variations in emphasis. By understanding its nuances, you can enhance the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in talks with

Focuses on the state of holding discussions without explicitly stating the act of negotiating.

be in discussion with

Similar to "be in talks with", it highlights the ongoing discussions.

be conferring with

Implies a more formal and consultative approach to the discussions.

be bargaining with

Emphasizes the act of haggling or debating terms during the negotiation.

be mediating with

Suggests the involvement of a third party to facilitate the negotiation.

be arbitrating with

Implies a more formal process of resolving disputes through a neutral arbitrator.

be consulting with

Focuses on seeking advice or guidance from someone.

be liaising with

Highlights the act of establishing communication and coordination between parties.

be engaging with

A broader term that indicates interaction or involvement with someone.

be hammering out a deal with

Suggests a more intense and protracted negotiation process to finalize an agreement.

FAQs

How do I use "be negotiating with" in a sentence?

Use "be negotiating with" to describe an ongoing process of discussions between parties aiming to reach an agreement. For example: "The company is currently in a position to "be negotiating with" potential partners for the upcoming project".

What can I say instead of "be negotiating with"?

You can use alternatives like "be in talks with", "be in discussion with", or "be conferring with" depending on the context.

When is it incorrect to use "be negotiating with"?

It's incorrect to use "be negotiating with" when the negotiation has already finished. In such cases, use verbs in the past tense, like "negotiated" or "reached an agreement".

What's the difference between ""be negotiating with"" and "negotiated with"?

"Be negotiating with" refers to an ongoing action. "Negotiated with" means that the negotiation process is complete.