negotiate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "negotiate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of reaching an agreement or compromise between parties. Example: "We need to negotiate the terms of the contract before finalizing the deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since the two sides sat down to negotiate an end to Colombia's 50-year-old internal conflict, the negotiators have achieved more progress than any previous effort to broker peace.

The Guardian

Industrial nations can at best give a developing country a shallow surface insight into their know-how, and even then only in the context of foreign investment deals in which developed countries that host foreign direct investment inflows skilfully negotiate and secure such agreements, and have skilled workforces to absorb and expand on such prowess.

The Guardian

Labor's letter said the government should "negotiate with our international partner countries to ensure appropriate standby and evacuation management arrangements for any Australian personnel".

The Guardian

Moscow has pushed to have pro-Russia rebels included in national unity talks, but Ukrainian leaders say they will not negotiate with "terrorists".

The Guardian

"If someone wants to leave and others want to stay, you could negotiate a new agreement or find another, but the landlord would have to agree to this".

The Guardian

In mediation practices going back hundreds of years, they have perfected conflict resolution techniques to negotiate rivalries and blood feuds.

The Guardian

The documents handed over to HMRC allegedly show how Google's London sales staff would negotiate and sign contracts with British customers, and cash was paid into a UK bank account, but the deals were technically booked through its Dublin office to minimise its liabilities here.

The Guardian - Tech

And while I have no desire to negotiate the motorway system ever again, I am very grateful to all the people who gave me lifts over the years, for the transport, but even more for the memories.

The Guardian - Opinion

Juncker said Tsipras had failed to mention to parliament his (Juncker's) willingness to negotiate over Greek pensions.

The Guardian

A currency union is the choice of business in both Scotland and the rest of the UK, and it is clear that the markets will expect the UK to negotiate constructively and in good faith.

The Guardian

There are carrots there for everyone and Robinson explicitly states that the DUP will negotiate with anyone.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "negotiate", clearly define the subject or agreement you are trying to reach for better clarity.

Common error

Do not use "negotiate" without specifying what is being discussed. Always clarify the terms or subject to provide context and prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "negotiate" is as a verb, indicating the act of conferring with others to reach an agreement or settle a matter. Ludwig examples show its application in contexts ranging from international treaties to everyday business deals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "negotiate" is a versatile verb commonly used to describe the process of reaching an agreement through discussion and compromise. As Ludwig AI indicates, its grammatical status is correct and it appears frequently in contexts like news, business, and even scientific articles. When writing, ensure that the subject of negotiation is clearly defined to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "discuss terms", "confer", and "settle" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Whether it's brokering international treaties or arranging business deals, understanding the proper usage of "negotiate" is essential for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discuss terms

Highlights the act of talking about specific conditions or arrangements.

work out

Implies solving a problem or reaching an understanding through discussion.

arrange terms

Emphasizes the act of putting conditions into an order or agreement.

confer

Focuses on formal discussion to reach an agreement, emphasizing a more official tone.

settle

Suggests resolving a dispute or reaching a final agreement.

bargain

Highlights the act of haggling to obtain a favorable outcome.

mediate

Involves intervening in a dispute to promote a settlement or compromise.

broker a deal

Implies acting as an intermediary to facilitate an agreement.

arbitrate

Suggests acting as a judge to resolve a dispute.

haggle

Emphasizes a competitive form of bargaining, often over prices.

FAQs

How to use "negotiate" in a sentence?

You can use "negotiate" to describe the act of discussing terms to reach an agreement, such as "We need to negotiate the contract details".

What can I say instead of "negotiate"?

You can use alternatives like "discuss terms", "confer", or "settle" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "negotiate" or "negociate"?

"Negotiate" is the correct spelling. "Negociate" is an archaic variant and is rarely used in modern English.

What's the difference between "negotiate" and "mediate"?

"Negotiate" implies direct discussion between parties to reach an agreement, while "mediate" involves a third party helping to facilitate the discussion and find common ground.