Useful Expressions for Negotiating in English (With Examples)

In international business, strong negotiation skills are key—and much of that comes down to what you say and how you say it.

Whether you're closing a deal, discussing prices, or setting project terms, knowing the right expressions can help you communicate clearly and confidently.

In this article, we will learn essential English phrases for negotiation that are polite, professional, and practical—plus real-life examples to help you use them.

1. Opening a Negotiation

Start the conversation on a positive and cooperative note.

• Let’s get down to business.

• Shall we begin?

• Thanks for taking the time to meet today.

• Before we start, I’d like to go over the agenda.

• 
  

Example:“Thanks for taking the time to meet today. Shall we begin by looking at the proposal?”

2. Making an Offer

Clearly state what you’re proposing.

• We’re prepared to offer…

• Our offer is…

• What we can do is…

• We’d be willing to consider…

• 
  

Example:“We’re prepared to offer a 10% discount for bulk orders.”

3. Responding to an Offer

Use these to show interest or hesitation politely.

• That sounds reasonable.

• I’m afraid that’s not quite what we had in mind.

• Could you go into more detail?

• We were hoping for something more competitive.

  
  

Example:“I’m afraid that’s not quite what we had in mind. Is there any flexibility on price?”

4. Bargaining and Counter-Offering

Keep the conversation moving while protecting your interests.

• If you can…, then we could…

• Would you be open to…?

• How about if we…?

• Let’s try to find some middle ground.

• 
  

Example:“If you can reduce the delivery time, then we could increase the order size.”

5. Agreeing on Terms

Use these to confirm mutual understanding and close the deal professionally.

• We have a deal.

• That works for us.

• Let’s put that in writing.

• Just to confirm, we’ve agreed on…

• 
  

Example:“Just to confirm, we’ve agreed on the price and delivery schedule.”

6. Buying Time or Delaying a Decision

Stay professional when you need more time to decide.

• Can we get back to you on that?

• We’ll need to discuss this internally.

• Let me consult with my team.

• Can we revisit this point later?

Example:“Let me consult with my team and get back to you tomorrow.”

Phrase Bank: Quick Reference Table

Purpose	Useful Phrases
Starting a Negotiation	Let’s get down to business. / Shall we begin?
Making an Offer	We’re prepared to offer… / Our offer is…
Responding to Offers	That sounds reasonable. / We were hoping for more.
Bargaining	Would you be open to…? / Let’s find middle ground.
Finalizing Agreement	We have a deal. / Let’s put that in writing.
Delaying a Decision	Let me consult my team. / Can we get back to you on that?

In business, how you say something is just as important as what you say. These expressions help you sound polite, confident, and collaborative—even when you’re pushing back or asking for more. Choose a few that suit your style and start using them in real negotiations.

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