critical negotiations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "critical negotiations" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to negotiations that are of great importance or significance. For example, "The two countries engaged in critical negotiations to resolve the trade dispute." Alternative expressions include "crucial discussions" and "vital talks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

It is also likely to have an immediate bearing on several critical negotiations with Afghan officials.

The New York Times

Handling these critical negotiations and managing AOL Time Warner's future, is perhaps the most intriguing management team in the nation.

The New York Times

At those critical negotiations, the United States and a self-selected group of nations refused to cut emissions in line with the science.

The New York Times

As you read this article, critical negotiations are taking place in Bali, where the world's governments are, we hope, constructively working together towards agreeing the much-needed successor to the Kyoto protocol.

The Guardian

President Fernando de la Rúa's critical negotiations with opposition governors to curtail spending fell apart tonight, dealing him a severe setback just before he left for New York to seek emergency international help to avert a complete financial collapse.

The New York Times

Baltimore Ravens kicker Matt Stover has proposed a plan to replace the N.F.L. union chief Gene Upshaw by next spring, when the union will most likely be engaged in critical negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

A critical negotiation on Sunday led to a surprise cut in employee payroll taxes as the men sought to wrap up the deal.

The New York Times

After this trip, Mr. Putin will return to Moscow where he will be host to Kim Jong Il in April for what may prove a critical negotiation to explore the price of North Korea's pacification.

The New York Times

In his book, Negotiation Boot Camp, Ed Brodow recommends active listening as a critical negotiation strategy.

Huffington Post

As demonstrated from the results, data on 'spirit child' deaths, for instance, would require critical negotiation to facilitate disclosure by families.

Global Health Action

Mr. Kennedy, the state's Democratic éminence grise, helped Mr. Romney with critical Medicaid negotiations in Washington.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "critical negotiations", ensure that the context clearly establishes the high importance and potential impact of these negotiations.

Common error

Avoid using "critical negotiations" for routine discussions or meetings that do not have significant consequences. Reserving the phrase for genuinely high-stakes situations will maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "critical negotiations" functions as a noun phrase, where "critical" modifies "negotiations", indicating that these negotiations are of paramount importance. Ludwig AI confirms that this construction is used to highlight the significance of the discussions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "critical negotiations" denotes discussions of utmost importance, typically with significant potential consequences. It is grammatically correct, commonly used, and features a neutral to professional register. Ludwig AI analysis validates its correct usage, highlighting its purpose to emphasize high stakes. While suitable for various contexts, ensuring its usage aligns with truly significant discussions is key. Related phrases include "crucial discussions" and "vital talks", offering nuanced alternatives. Dominant sources showcasing this expression include The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crucial discussions

Replaces "negotiations" with "discussions", implying a slightly less formal setting.

vital talks

Substitutes "critical" with "vital" and "negotiations" with "talks", suggesting importance and informality.

key bargaining sessions

Emphasizes the bargaining aspect and uses more formal terms.

significant discussions

Highlights the importance of the discussions without necessarily focusing on conflict resolution.

important deliberations

Focuses on the thoughtful consideration involved in the negotiations.

high-stakes talks

Indicates that the negotiations have a lot riding on their outcome.

pivotal discussions

Implies that the discussions are a turning point or have significant consequences.

essential negotiations

Stresses the necessity of the negotiations for achieving a desired outcome.

sensitive negotiations

Highlights the delicate and potentially controversial nature of the negotiations.

delicate discussions

Emphasizes the need for careful handling and diplomacy in the discussions.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "critical negotiations" in a sentence?

Use "critical negotiations" to describe situations where talks are essential for resolving high-stakes issues. For instance, "The company is engaged in "critical negotiations" with the union to avert a strike".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "critical negotiations"?

Alternatives include "crucial discussions", "vital talks", or "high-stakes talks". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very critical negotiations"?

Yes, adding "very" is generally redundant. The word "critical" already implies high importance, so ""critical negotiations"" is sufficient.

What distinguishes "critical negotiations" from "important negotiations"?

"Critical negotiations" suggests that the outcome of the talks is crucial and could have significant consequences. "Important negotiations" simply indicates that the talks are of considerable value or significance, but not necessarily decisive.