negotiating a settlement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "negotiating a settlement" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when referring to two people or organizations that are negotiating a resolution or agreement. For example, "The two parties were negotiating a settlement to their contract dispute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eventually we were successful in negotiating a settlement freeze.

The Economist

The company had been negotiating a settlement with New York.

The New York Times

SAC's lawyers are in the throes of negotiating a settlement with the government.

The New York Times

Mr. Rubino said he began negotiating a settlement with diocesan lawyers.

The New York Times

University officials said they were not negotiating a settlement with him.

The New York Times

Within weeks of that hearing, both sides began negotiating a settlement, focusing on voluntary means.

The New York Times

The government said it brought the lawsuit only after efforts at negotiating a settlement had failed.

The New York Times

"I was negotiating a settlement, which I believe everyone is entitled to do," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

He declined to say whether other banks named in the suit are negotiating a settlement.

The New York Times

The bank, which is negotiating a settlement with the American authorities, added that the actual fine could be even bigger.

The New York Times

"The receiver wants to complete this work and we are negotiating a settlement and new agreement to do this.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "negotiating a settlement", ensure that all parties involved are willing to compromise. A successful negotiation requires flexibility and a clear understanding of each party's objectives.

Common error

Avoid language that implies a guaranteed outcome when "negotiating a settlement". Negotiations can fail, so phrases like "ensuring a settlement" might be misleading. Instead, focus on the efforts being made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negotiating a settlement" functions as a verbal phrase typically used as a gerund or participle. It describes the act of engaging in discussions to reach an agreement, often in legal or business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "negotiating a settlement" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase that describes the process of reaching an agreement through discussion, often in legal or business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for written English. It's most frequently found in news and media, as well as in formal and business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to maintain realistic expectations and avoid overstating the certainty of a positive outcome. Alternatives like "negotiate a resolution" or "brokering a deal" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

settling a disagreement

Similar to "negotiating a settlement" but puts more emphasis on the preceding conflict.

negotiate a resolution

Focuses on the act of negotiating to resolve a problem, implying a broader scope than a specific "settlement".

brokering a deal

Highlights the role of a third party in facilitating the agreement.

hammering out an agreement

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in reaching a final agreement.

mediating a compromise

Suggests a process where parties make concessions to find common ground.

arranging a truce

Implies a temporary cessation of hostilities through negotiation.

discussing terms of agreement

More general and less formal than "negotiating a settlement".

arbitrating a dispute

Involves a formal process where a neutral third party makes a binding decision.

concluding an arrangement

Focuses on the finalization of the agreement, rather than the process.

resolving differences

A more general term that doesn't necessarily involve a formal agreement.

FAQs

How to use "negotiating a settlement" in a sentence?

You can use "negotiating a settlement" to describe the process of reaching an agreement between parties, such as "The lawyers are "negotiating a settlement" to avoid a lengthy trial".

What can I say instead of "negotiating a settlement"?

You can use alternatives like "negotiate a resolution", "brokering a deal", or "resolving differences" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "negotiating settlement" without the article "a"?

While grammatically understandable, it's more common and natural to include the article "a" when using the phrase "negotiating a settlement". Omitting "a" can sound slightly awkward in most contexts.

What's the difference between "negotiating a settlement" and "reaching a verdict"?

"Negotiating a settlement" implies a voluntary agreement between parties, while "reaching a verdict" refers to a decision made by a judge or jury in a legal case. They represent different paths to resolving a dispute.