commencing negotiations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "commencing negotiations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the start of discussions or talks between parties, often in a business or legal context. Example: "We are pleased to announce that we are commencing negotiations with the potential partner next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

For its part, BP said it "welcomed today's announcement by Rosneft of its interest in commencing negotiations".

The New York Times

Alternatively, the board should insist on and obtain the controlling stockholder's consent to these conditions before engaging with the controlling stockholder and commencing negotiations.

Columbia University

In 1993 Israel's prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin, called on the leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, Yasser Arafat, to recognise Israel as a prerequisite for signing the Oslo agreement and commencing negotiations between the two peoples.

The Guardian - Opinion

First proposed in 2011, the lagoon won backing from the then chancellor George Osborne, who used his 2015 budget to announce the government was commencing negotiations with Tidal Lagoon Power for the plan.

The Guardian - Business

As did the lower court, the Delaware Supreme Court emphasized that the controlling stockholder made clear in its initial proposal and before commencing negotiations that it would only proceed upon receiving approval of an independent special committee and a majority vote of minority stockholders.

Columbia University

In March 2002, Schwarzenegger became the producer of I Am Legend, commencing negotiations with Michael Bay to direct and Will Smith to star in the film.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

After exiling Caetano and Tomás, a subgroup of the MFA calling itself the Junta of National Salvation filled the political vacuum, installing Spínola as president and commencing negotiation with the African nationalist movements.

Britannica

If the DGA negotiates first - it's planning to commence negotiations in early January - it will probably conclude a deal promptly.

Huffington Post

The directors, he wrote, "have a fiduciary duty to commence negotiations with InBev".

The New York Times

They issued a prepared statement: "ITVS commenced negotiations to fund the film 'Citizen Corp' based on a written proposal.

The New Yorker

Morrison added: "The department will commence negotiations with the preferred tenderers shortly and depending on the success of those negotiations contracts will be entered into".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "commencing negotiations", ensure that both parties are ready to engage in a meaningful dialogue. This phrase implies a formal start to discussions aimed at reaching an agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "commencing negotiations" in casual contexts. This phrase is more appropriate for formal settings like business deals or international relations, not for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "commencing negotiations" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the initiation of a formal discussion or bargaining process. It often acts as a predicate in a sentence, describing the action being taken. Ludwig shows how it's used in various contexts, from business deals to political discussions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "commencing negotiations" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that signifies the start of formal discussions or talks, often in business or legal settings, as affirmed by Ludwig. While not very common, the phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, academic writing, and Wikipedia. It is best suited for formal contexts, indicating a structured approach to reaching an agreement. Alternative phrases include "beginning talks" and "initiating discussions", offering similar meanings. Ensure its use aligns with the intended formality to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning talks

Focuses on the initial stage of discussions, similar to starting a conversation.

initiating discussions

Highlights the act of starting a formal or informal conversation.

starting dialogue

Emphasizes the conversational aspect of negotiations.

opening negotiations

Stresses the official start of the negotiation process.

embarking on talks

Implies a more involved and committed start to negotiations.

launching discussions

Suggests a formal and organized start to conversations.

entering into negotiations

Highlights the action of formally becoming involved in negotiations.

setting up negotiations

Emphasizes the preparatory steps before actual talks begin.

scheduling discussions

Focuses on planning and arranging the timing of talks.

laying the groundwork for negotiations

Highlights the preliminary actions taken before negotiations can officially begin.

FAQs

How can I use "commencing negotiations" in a sentence?

You can use "commencing negotiations" to indicate the beginning of formal discussions, such as, "The company announced it would be "commencing negotiations" with the union next week".

What phrases can I use instead of "commencing negotiations"?

Alternatives include "beginning talks", "initiating discussions", or "starting dialogue", depending on the level of formality required.

When is it appropriate to use "commencing negotiations"?

"Commencing negotiations" is best suited for formal contexts like business agreements, diplomatic talks, or legal settlements. It implies a serious and structured approach to reaching an agreement.

What's the difference between "commencing negotiations" and "starting a conversation"?

"Commencing negotiations" implies a structured, formal process aimed at reaching an agreement, while "starting a conversation" is more informal and open-ended. Negotiations involve specific goals and a deliberate exchange, whereas a conversation can be more exploratory.