Negotiations - Word Partnerships

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Please combine the words in each column to create typical word partnerships for negotiation scenarios: verbs
show avoid establish use work out exercise stick to make resolve close jeopardize draw up define reach find save recognize break judge make

nouns
the mood disagreements face concessions a point emphatic language a deadlock agreement a compromise common ground objectives a proposal a deal conflict rapport respect a contract tact a strategy chances/talks

adjectives
tentative neutral bargaining weak/strong

nouns
meeting power ground offer

legally-binding

position

Language for Negotiating: General Points

1.

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Using would, could or might to make what you say more tentative:

2. Presenting your view as a question not a statement:

3. Using an introductory phrase to prepare the listener for your message:

4.

Adding Im afraid to make clear that you recognise the unhelpfulness of your response:

5.

Using words which qualify or restrict what you say to make your position more flexible:

6.

Using not with a positive word instead of the obvious negative word:

7.

Using a comparative to soften your message:

8.

Using a continuous form instead of a simple form to make a flexible:

suggestion more

9.

Using word stress as an important way of making the message more effective:

Language for Negotiating: Avoiding Conflict

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Please change the following rather direct remarks into ones which are more diplomatic, using the words in brackets to help you:
1. You said the parts were on their way. 2. Were unhappy about it. 3. Thats a bad idea. 4. This is most inconvenient. 5. We cant accept your offer. 6. We want a bigger discount. 7. Your products are very expensive. 8. We must reach agreement today. 9. Itll be unmarketable. 10. There will be a delay. 11. You must give us more time. 12. You dont understand how important this is. 13. Dont forget the terms of the contract. 14. Were getting nowhere!
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( understood) ( sorry but / not very) ( might / not very) ( afraid / might / not very) ( unfortunately / unable) ( hoping / slightly) ( seem / rather) ( actually / rather hoping) ( in fact / would / not very) ( afraid / might / slight) ( actually / appreciate / a little more) ( respect / dont seem / quite how) ( sure / dont need / remind) ( afraid / dont seem / very far)

Grammar: Using If.?

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Choose the phrase which best completes these CONDITIONAL statements:

1. If he comes, a) we will go to lunch. b) we would go to lunch. c) we went to lunch. a) if I have a lot of money. b) if I win the lottery. c) if I inherited a million dollars. a) I take her to school by car. b) I would take her to school by car. c) she have to walk. a) I would buy you some flowers. b) I would have bought you some flowers. c) I will buy you some flowers. a) he might pass the exam. b) he would pass the exam. c) he is going to pass the exam. a) if I was you. b) if I am you. c) if I were you. a) if he not work harder. b) unless he begins to study. c) if he werent serious. a) if she stays. b) if she had stayed. c) if she was to stay. a) if they had had the money. b) if they had the money. c) if they were having the money. a) if she will come to visit. b) if she comes to visit. c) if she came to visit. a) they would move to Santa Monica. b) they would have moved to Santa Monica. c) they would had moved to Santa Monica. a) we will have to go inland. b) we have to get inland.
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2. I would buy a new house

3. If she misses the bus,

4. If I had known you were in town

5. If he studies a lot,

6. I would get a new job

7. He will definitely fail his exams

8. She would live in New York now

9. They would have bought the car

10. I leave on Saturdays

11. If they had had enough good sense

12. If the storm gets worse,

c) we must to go inland.