negotiating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "negotiating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of reaching an agreement or compromise between parties. Example: "The two companies are negotiating a merger that could benefit both sides."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alongside this, negotiators will also be looking to progress on a negotiating track known as "loss and damage" where developing countries (in particular small island states and countries such as the typhoon-ravaged Philippines) are compensated for climate change impacts.

The Guardian

The Bloomberg news agency quoted the diplomatic historian Alan Henrikson as saying that a US secretary of state had not stayed at a single site negotiating a single issue for such a long time since the 1978 Camp David negotiations with Egypt and Israel.

The Guardian

The government is currently negotiating with unions over the tricky issue of retirement.

The New York Times

Few expect a multilateral system for negotiating sovereign debt workouts to spring up overnight.

The Guardian - Business

Also working to repair its ties with the United Arab Emirates, Iran is purportedly negotiating a solution to long-running disputes over a group of small islands in the Persian Gulf.

The Guardian

George Osborne, who had long feared the Tories would struggle to win an overall parliamentary majority, persuaded David Cameron to allow him to form the Tories' own secret coalition negotiating team two weeks before the election.

The Guardian

Even as we're negotiating a broader deficit reduction package, let's extend the middle class tax cuts right now.

The Guardian

Murdoch said it would be difficult for HBO to launch a standalone service while negotiating with cable companies.

The Guardian

Prisons in the war zone represent an insoluble problem, he said, as it's not clear who the authorities in Kiev should be negotiating with.

The Guardian

But on the two most important issues facing the negotiating teams – the deficit reduction plan and electoral reform – it is almost impossible to see how they can agree.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite two years of talks, and agreements on three of the five negotiating points, no ceasefire has been declared and combat between the two forces, ambushes and guerrilla attacks are frequent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "negotiating", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being negotiated and who the parties involved are. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "negotiating" when a simple discussion or information exchange is taking place. "Negotiating" implies a deliberate effort to reach a mutually acceptable agreement, not just casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "negotiating" is as a present participle or gerund form of the verb "negotiate". It describes an ongoing action of discussing terms and conditions to reach an agreement. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it functions this way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "negotiating" functions as a verb form describing the act of reaching an agreement through discussion. It is grammatically sound and sees frequent use across diverse contexts, including formal business and news media. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread applicability and correctness. When writing, ensure the context is right as this term refers to a deliberate effort to reach a mutually acceptable agreement, not a casual conversation. Consider also using more suitable terms like "bargaining" or "in talks" if a different nuance is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bargaining

Implies a more transactional approach, often focused on price or specific terms.

in talks

Similar to "in discussions" but often implies a more structured or official setting.

in discussions

Suggests a less formal and potentially exploratory stage of interaction.

hammering out

Emphasizes the effort and persistence required to reach an agreement.

working out

Focuses on the problem-solving aspect of reaching an agreement.

arranging terms

Focuses on the specific conditions and details being agreed upon.

settling

Implies resolving a dispute or reaching a compromise after disagreement.

mediating

Suggests the involvement of a neutral third party to facilitate the agreement.

brokering

Often used in business contexts to describe facilitating a deal between parties.

conducting diplomacy

Suggests a formal and strategic approach to reaching an agreement, often between nations.

FAQs

How to use "negotiating" in a sentence?

You can use "negotiating" to describe the process of discussing terms to reach an agreement, such as: "The company is currently "negotiating" a new contract with its suppliers."

What can I say instead of "negotiating"?

You can use alternatives like "bargaining", "in talks", or "arranging terms" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "negotiating" or "negotiations"?

"Negotiating" is the present participle of the verb negotiate, used to describe an ongoing action. "Negotiations" is a noun, referring to the discussions themselves. For example: "They are "negotiating" the terms" vs "The "negotiations" are ongoing."

What's the difference between "negotiating" and "discussing"?

"Discussing" implies a general conversation about a topic, while "negotiating" implies a more formal process aimed at reaching a specific agreement or compromise. "Negotiating" often involves specific proposals and counter-proposals.