negotiate agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "negotiate agreement" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the process of reaching a mutual understanding or settlement between two or more parties. Example: The two companies have been working together to negotiate an agreement on pricing for their new partnership.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It took four years just to negotiate agreement for a new round of world trade negotiations.

The New York Times

Failure to negotiate agreement then would mean the poll would be delayed until September at the earliest.

Independent

At a press conference at the Brighton Centre, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: "I've no doubt whatsoever that, if we cannot talk to this government and negotiate agreement to end the pay freeze, it will lead to industrial action".

BBC

At a press conference at the Brighton Centre, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said: "I've no doubt whatsoever that, if we cannot talk to this government and negotiate agreement to end the pay freeze, it will lead to industrial action". He added that union members were "afraid" for their financial futures, with some "not buying clothes for their children" because of their circumstances.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Also, unions often negotiate agreements with employers, like seniority systems, that reduce competition.

The New York Times - Sports

We have to negotiate agreements".

Forbes

TPA allows the Administration to negotiate agreements that Congress can only approve or reject without amendment.

Forbes

In fact, we could negotiate agreements that would do the opposite.

Huffington Post

Transparency during negotiations: Key to a viable negotiated agreement?

Harvard University

Putting Your Negotiated Agreement Into Action – How negotiators can deal with the myriad of smaller negotiations that inevitably follow the signing of any negotiated agreement.

Harvard University

This means a negotiator should be able to identify her best alternative to a negotiated agreement.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, it is often more natural to include an article, such as "negotiate an agreement", though the bare noun phrase is acceptable in titles or concise news reporting.

Common error

Avoid using tautologies like "negotiate a mutual agreement". Since an agreement is by definition mutual, the adjective is unnecessary and clutters the sentence. Stick to the simpler form to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

In a sentence, "negotiate agreement" functions as a transitive verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the active attempt by two or more parties to arrive at a common understanding. It is often found as the object of an infinitive (e.g., "to "negotiate agreement"") or part of a compound predicate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "negotiate agreement" is a precise and grammatically correct phrase frequently employed in high-stakes contexts such as diplomacy, labor relations, and academic theory. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its common appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and Harvard University. While the exact bare-noun phrase is statistically rarer than its counterparts using articles, it remains a standard choice for writers seeking a concise and professional tone. It is best used to describe the deliberative process of finding middle ground rather than the final point of signing. For more casual contexts, alternatives like "negotiate a deal" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach an agreement

Focuses on the successful conclusion of the process rather than the process itself.

negotiate a deal

More common in business and informal contexts compared to the slightly more formal agreement.

broker an accord

Typically used in diplomatic or high-level political contexts involving a third party.

negotiate terms

Focuses on the specific details or clauses within a larger arrangement.

settle a contract

Specifically refers to the legal finalization of terms.

secure a pact

Implies a sense of finality and formal commitment often found in international relations.

hammer out a compromise

Idiomatic expression emphasizing the difficulty or effort involved in the process.

finalize an arrangement

Refers to the last steps of a negotiation before formal signing.

forge a consensus

Suggests a collaborative effort to bring multiple parties into alignment.

establish a settlement

Often used in legal disputes to avoid trial or further litigation.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "negotiate agreement" without an article?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and often used in professional or journalistic shorthand. However, in standard prose, you might prefer to "negotiate an agreement" for better flow.

What is the difference between "negotiate agreement" and "reach an agreement"?

"negotiate agreement" refers to the active process of discussion, while "reach an agreement" denotes the successful completion of that process.

Can I use "negotiate a deal" instead?

Absolutely. While "negotiate a deal" is more common in commercial and everyday speech, "negotiate agreement" is typically used in more formal legal or diplomatic settings.

What does "BATNA" have to do with this phrase?

In academic sources like those from Harvard, you will often see "negotiate agreement" mentioned alongside BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement), which is a key concept in negotiation theory.