negotiate over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'negotiate over' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are discussing a situation in which two or more people are trying to come to a mutual agreement. Example: We had to negotiate over the details of the agreement for several hours before we reached a compromise.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Writer watched Lou Mazel and Mickey Perlmuth negotiate over buttons.

The New Yorker

You can negotiate over a nuclear facility.

Independent

"There are always things that you can negotiate over.

The New Yorker

He says it's destructive to negotiate over the debt ceiling.

The Guardian

The lands that it had captured gave them something to negotiate over.

The Economist

Pym, who had angered her by his willingness to negotiate over the Falklands, was sacked.

Independent

Another youth body, the University Student Union, preferred to negotiate over the education bill.

The Economist

But you will negotiate over the budget; government funding runs out at the end of September.

The New York Times

Obama won't, can't negotiate over the debt ceiling, and Republicans still haven't figured that out.

The New York Times

And a stronger Mercosur, he suggests, makes it easier to negotiate over the FTAA.

The Economist

It doesn't appear as if he gave the company anything to negotiate over.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "negotiate over", clearly specify the subject or issue being discussed to avoid ambiguity. For example, "We need to negotiate over the terms of the contract" is more effective than just saying "We need to negotiate".

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when "negotiate over" can be expressed more directly in active voice. Instead of "The price was negotiated over by the parties", use "The parties negotiated over the price" for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negotiate over" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a phrasal verb acting as a predicate in a clause. It describes the action of discussing and bargaining to reach an agreement on a particular issue or subject. Ludwig AI indicates that this is a standard and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "negotiate over" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe discussions aimed at reaching an agreement on a specific subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is widely accepted and employed across various contexts, especially in news, business, and to a lesser extent, scientific domains. It conveys a neutral to professional tone, denoting a structured and goal-oriented discussion. Alternatives like "discuss and agree on" or "bargain for" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts. To use "negotiate over" effectively, ensure the subject of negotiation is clearly specified and opt for active voice to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discuss and agree on

Focuses more on the discussion aspect and reaching a consensus, while "negotiate over" implies bargaining.

settle upon

Emphasizes reaching a final decision or agreement, often after a period of discussion. "Negotiate over" covers the discussion process.

bargain for

Emphasizes the act of haggling or trying to obtain something at a lower price or more favorable terms. "Negotiate over" is broader.

resolve through discussion

Highlights the act of finding a solution or agreement through discussion, emphasizing problem-solving. "Negotiate over" includes bargaining.

confer about

Highlights a formal discussion or consultation regarding a specific topic. "Negotiate over" suggests a more give-and-take approach.

hammer out a deal on

Emphasizes the effort and persistence involved in reaching an agreement, often implying difficult negotiations. "Negotiate over" is more neutral.

debate the merits of

Focuses on formally discussing the advantages and disadvantages of something before making a decision. "Negotiate over" is about finding common ground.

work out an arrangement regarding

Focuses on creating a mutually acceptable arrangement or plan. "Negotiate over" includes the discussion leading to the arrangement.

mediate on

Implies the intervention of a third party to facilitate an agreement between disagreeing parties. "Negotiate over" can be direct.

arbitrate concerning

Suggests a more formal and binding process of settling a dispute by an impartial third party. "Negotiate over" is less structured.

FAQs

How to use "negotiate over" in a sentence?

You can use "negotiate over" to describe discussions aimed at reaching an agreement on a specific topic. For example, "The union and the company will "negotiate over" wages and benefits".

What can I say instead of "negotiate over"?

You can use alternatives like "discuss and agree on", "bargain for", or "confer about" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "negotiate over" or "negotiate about"?

Both "negotiate over" and "negotiate about" are acceptable, but ""negotiate over"" is generally preferred when discussing specific terms or conditions. "Negotiate about" is broader and less precise.

What's the difference between "negotiate over" and "discuss"?

"Discuss" simply means to talk about something, while ""negotiate over"" implies a more formal process aimed at reaching an agreement or compromise on a specific issue or term.