in the middle of negotiating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the middle of negotiating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an ongoing negotiation process or situation where discussions are currently taking place. Example: "We are currently in the middle of negotiating the terms of the contract with the supplier."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

"We're in the middle of negotiating an enormous, yearlong omnibus appropriations, those negotiations are ongoing right now while we speak," Ryan said.

Los Angeles Times

The country is in the middle of negotiating a special agreement with the EU, which it hopes might one day lead to the beginning of membership talks.

The Economist

"It wouldn't make a lot of sense when we're in the middle of negotiating a contract," said Mark Bartlestein, Lee's agent.

The New York Times

That way, he hopes, when Sept. 26 arrives and limited building resumes, Mr. Abbas will not walk out because settlement building will be only one issue of several he is in the middle of negotiating.

The New York Times

One talent agent, dressed in a black Prada suit, was in the middle of negotiating a deal when the doctor's assistant came to take him back to an examination room.

The New York Times

As he pointed out, most of the delegates to the IPCC are in the middle of negotiating a treaty, intended to be signed in Paris in 2015, limiting greenhouse-gas emissions.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The Senate, under McConnell's leadership, may consider new sanctions legislation by the end of the month, in the middle of a negotiating round that U.S. officials hope will yield a nuclear deal by March.

Los Angeles Times

In the middle of the negotiating table, place a photo of Gehrig addressing a Stadium full of fans on July 4, 1939, condemned to die of a disease that would eventually carry his name, and saying, "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth".

The New York Times - Sports

"We're in the middle of plea negotiating, that's where we're at," he said.

Huffington Post

I'm actually in the middle of trying to negotiate them a larger field.

The New York Times

Newark, N.J.-based Net2Phone is also in the middle of a big transition, negotiating with telecommunications service provider IDT, which is trying to purchase all outstanding shares of the voice-over-Internet Protocol shop's stock.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in the middle of negotiating", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being negotiated. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, avoid overuse of "in the middle of negotiating" in highly formal documents. Opt for alternatives like "engaged in negotiations" or "currently negotiating" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the middle of negotiating" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, indicating the state or timing of an action. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the middle of negotiating" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates an ongoing negotiation process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. As evidenced by the examples provided, this phrase is frequently found in news and media, as well as formal business settings. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "engaged in negotiations" or "currently negotiating" may be preferred in highly formal contexts. The phrase is useful for conveying that discussions are actively taking place, but a final agreement has not yet been reached.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

currently negotiating

Emphasizes the present and ongoing nature of the negotiation.

in the process of negotiating

Highlights the sequential steps involved in negotiation.

actively negotiating

Focuses on the active and engaged participation in the negotiation.

engaged in negotiations

Formal alternative, emphasizing involvement in the negotiation process.

in negotiations with

Specifies that negotiations are underway with a particular party.

hammering out an agreement

Suggests intensive and potentially difficult negotiations.

in talks with

Informal way of saying that negotiations are in progress.

working towards a deal

Focuses on the desired outcome of the negotiation process.

locked in negotiations

Emphasizes the intensity and focus of the negotiation.

at the negotiating table

Highlights the location and setting of the negotiation.

FAQs

What does "in the middle of negotiating" mean?

It means that discussions or bargaining are currently taking place to reach an agreement on something.

What can I say instead of "in the middle of negotiating"?

You can use alternatives like "currently negotiating", "engaged in negotiations", or "in talks with" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in the middle of negotiation"?

While grammatically similar, "in the middle of negotiating" is more common when referring to an ongoing process. "In the middle of a negotiation" is also correct but implies being at a specific stage within a broader negotiation.

How formal is the phrase "in the middle of negotiating"?

It's generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "engaged in negotiations" or "currently negotiating".