negotiating terms

USAGE SUMMARY

"negotiating terms" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when speaking about discussing agreements or coming to an understanding, usually involving two or more parties. For example, "The two sides have been negotiating terms for the past three months, but still have not reached an agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A video accompanying the article shows the two negotiating terms.

The New York Times

It appeared they had not reached agreement on negotiating terms.

The New York Times

FrontPoint's principals were negotiating terms, and the deal could still founder.

The New York Times

Duties include negotiating terms and conditions of employment and helping with disciplinary procedures.

The Guardian

So far Mr. Rosenberg has had some success in negotiating terms.

The New York Times

President Charles Taylor of Liberia is negotiating terms to step down from office.

The New York Times

You would need to raise your trading hours with the landlord when negotiating terms.

The Guardian

Faced with Dick Cheney's "my way or the highway" negotiating terms, the unstable North Korean dictator opted for the highway.

The Guardian - Opinion

Virgin is negotiating terms of its contract extension for the next 14 months while a two-year franchise is awarded.

The Guardian - Business

The U.S. and its allies declared a safe haven in the north; Talabani and Barzani (who had temporarily reconciled) began negotiating terms of settlement with Saddam.

The New Yorker

More than a dozen senior Taliban figures – possibly including the former supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar – are negotiating terms for their surrender, according to Afghan officials.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "negotiating terms", clearly define which specific aspects are being discussed (e.g., "negotiating payment terms", "negotiating contract terms") to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "negotiating terms" inherently implies a positive or successful outcome. Specify if the negotiation was successful or if an agreement was reached to provide a complete picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negotiating terms" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause to describe the action of discussing and arranging the specific conditions of an agreement. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and common usage of the expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "negotiating terms" is a grammatically correct and widely used verb phrase that describes the process of discussing and arranging the conditions of an agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used across diverse contexts, including news, business, and science, with a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to specify which aspects are being negotiated to enhance clarity. Common alternatives include "discussing conditions" and "agreeing on conditions". Its high frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources solidify its place as a reliable and effective expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discussing conditions

Focuses on the discussion aspect rather than the act of bargaining, implying a more exploratory conversation.

agreeing on conditions

Emphasizes the final agreement of the terms, rather than the process of reaching them.

bargaining for conditions

Highlights the act of haggling and trying to get better terms.

settling terms

Suggests a conclusive resolution and finalization of the agreement.

determining provisions

Implies establishing specific elements within a contract or agreement.

ironing out the details

Suggests resolving minor disagreements to finalize an agreement.

hammering out a deal

Implies tough negotiation to reach a final agreement.

brokering an agreement

Suggests using a mediator to help both sides agree on the terms.

working out an arrangement

Focuses on creating a mutually beneficial arrangement between parties.

defining parameters

Highlights setting the boundaries and constraints of an agreement.

FAQs

What does "negotiating terms" mean?

The phrase "negotiating terms" refers to the process of discussing and bargaining the specific conditions and details of an agreement or contract, with the goal of reaching a mutually acceptable understanding.

How can I use "negotiating terms" in a sentence?

You can use "negotiating terms" in a sentence like this: "The company is currently "negotiating terms" with the supplier for a long-term contract."

What are some alternatives to "negotiating terms"?

Alternatives to "negotiating terms" include "discussing conditions", "agreeing on conditions", or "settling terms", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "negotiate terms" or "negotiating terms"?

Both "negotiate terms" and "negotiating terms" are correct, but they have slightly different uses. "Negotiate terms" is an action, while "negotiating terms" describes the ongoing process of negotiation. For example, "We need to negotiate terms" versus "We are currently negotiating terms".