10 phrasal verbs for negotiations in English
Phrase verbs related to the field of business are far from a dozen. We examined some of them in the previous article , and there you will find verbs that relate to different aspects of the work. Today we will focus on verbs that are used in the preparation and conduct of business meetings and negotiations.
The first meaning of the verb “to sit in” is not entirely pleasant - it means “on strike”. But the second value is quite appropriate if you were entrusted with the training of an intern and you want him to participate in the meeting, but only as an observer. In this case, the synonym for the verb “sit in” is “to attend”, “to be present” . If you want to hear their thoughts and ideas from colleagues, invite them to participate in the discussion using the verb “to join in” , which translates as “join”. Its synonym is “to participate” .
Example:
Not the most common verb - even in the Cambridge dictionary there is a C2 mark next to it, which means that only people with the highest level of English proficiency operate on this verb. So he, among other things, "change his mind." In this regard, it is close to the expression “to change one's mind” and is also used in the meaning of “to be persuaded” . This verb can be used if you initially did not agree with the argument or proposal of the opponent, but after a good thought, changed your mind.
Example:
It would seem, why the verb “to mention” the phrasal verb-synonym? But here he is, in spite of the fact that it is much easier to say “He mentioned it” or even “He said it” . The higher the level of knowledge of the language, the more such trifles pop up. Of course, “He said it” can be dispensed with , but you will sound much more naturally if you use the phrasal verb. He also has the meaning “emphasize something”, and in this case he is synonymous with the verbs “to emphasize” and “to accentuate” . And even a simple “show” can be replaced with this verb. If you need to retell someone the outcome of a meeting or negotiations, the verb “to point out”diversifies the series of “say” and “tell” .
Examples:
An excellent verb for completing business meetings and official letters! True, “to” in this verb confuses almost all Russian students. It is necessary to distinguish between the infinitive particle “to” and the preposition “to” . In the sentence “I want to visit this city” you see the infinitive with the particle “to” . But if we say, for example, “I'm going to my parents for the weekend,” then “to” will already be a pretext for the direction — “to.” In the “to look forward to” conjunction , this is also a preposition, and after prepositions we always use gerund (a special form of the verb with the ending –ing ). This whole construction is translated as “to look forward to something.”
Examples:
If you are preparing for a responsible event and you have prepared a speech or presentation that you will recite by heart, then you will probably repeat your material more than once before presenting it to partners or colleagues. Or a situation may arise when you send your representative to the meeting and want to repeat the important points that will need to be mentioned. In such cases, you can offer the person “to brush up (on) the material” or “to go over the material” . Both of these verbs mean "repeat", "once again go over something." Synonyms of verbs - “to revise”, “to improve knowledge of”, “to practice” .
Examples:
If at a meeting you have to discuss the terms of the transaction or any proposals, but you can’t immediately give an answer, you can ask for time to think. The verb “to think through” is just for this purpose, it is synonymous with the word “to consider” . And the verb “think out” can replace it, especially in a passive voice with the meaning “thought out” (although “thought through” is also used in this meaning ).
Example:
We continue the topic of conditions and proposals in the negotiations. If neither one nor the other, you did not like, you can refuse. The verb “to rule out” just means “exclude the option”, “refuse”. The verb “to turn down” is its synonym ; it also means “refuse”. You can replace them with the words “to refuse”, “to reject” and “to dismiss” .
Examples:
The circumstances are different. If you understand that the date or time of the meeting needs to be rescheduled, then you can write a letter to the partners or call with the corresponding request. The verbs “to bring forward” (postpone the meeting to an earlier time) and “to put off” (postpone the meeting to a later time) will be appropriate . By the way, the option “to put the meeting back” is also common in British English .
Examples:
In the world of business, no one agrees. All agreements and other memoranda are recorded in writing, and there are responsible people who write the texts of such official papers. That's just for such people the verb “to draw up” comes in handy . It means “prepare in writing” and is most often used in conjunction with nouns that designate a document.
Example:
If you have to make a presentation, sometimes just slides on the screen are not enough, and you prepare printouts with any information present: graphs, cases and more. Actually, the verb “to hand out” has already passed into the category of nouns, and the word “a handout” has appeared . This verb, of course, sounds much better than a simple “give” .
Example:
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1. Sit in and join in
The first meaning of the verb “to sit in” is not entirely pleasant - it means “on strike”. But the second value is quite appropriate if you were entrusted with the training of an intern and you want him to participate in the meeting, but only as an observer. In this case, the synonym for the verb “sit in” is “to attend”, “to be present” . If you want to hear their thoughts and ideas from colleagues, invite them to participate in the discussion using the verb “to join in” , which translates as “join”. Its synonym is “to participate” .
Example:
I would like you to sit in on this meeting.
Please join in and share your ideas.
2. Come around (Come round)
Not the most common verb - even in the Cambridge dictionary there is a C2 mark next to it, which means that only people with the highest level of English proficiency operate on this verb. So he, among other things, "change his mind." In this regard, it is close to the expression “to change one's mind” and is also used in the meaning of “to be persuaded” . This verb can be used if you initially did not agree with the argument or proposal of the opponent, but after a good thought, changed your mind.
Example:
I have come around to your argument.
3. Point out
It would seem, why the verb “to mention” the phrasal verb-synonym? But here he is, in spite of the fact that it is much easier to say “He mentioned it” or even “He said it” . The higher the level of knowledge of the language, the more such trifles pop up. Of course, “He said it” can be dispensed with , but you will sound much more naturally if you use the phrasal verb. He also has the meaning “emphasize something”, and in this case he is synonymous with the verbs “to emphasize” and “to accentuate” . And even a simple “show” can be replaced with this verb. If you need to retell someone the outcome of a meeting or negotiations, the verb “to point out”diversifies the series of “say” and “tell” .
Examples:
The boss pointed out that productivity had declined.
He pointed out that we had two hours of free time before dinner.
I should point out how risky it is.
4. Look forward to
An excellent verb for completing business meetings and official letters! True, “to” in this verb confuses almost all Russian students. It is necessary to distinguish between the infinitive particle “to” and the preposition “to” . In the sentence “I want to visit this city” you see the infinitive with the particle “to” . But if we say, for example, “I'm going to my parents for the weekend,” then “to” will already be a pretext for the direction — “to.” In the “to look forward to” conjunction , this is also a preposition, and after prepositions we always use gerund (a special form of the verb with the ending –ing ). This whole construction is translated as “to look forward to something.”
Examples:
We are looking forward to cooperating with you.
I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.
5. Brush up (on) and go over
If you are preparing for a responsible event and you have prepared a speech or presentation that you will recite by heart, then you will probably repeat your material more than once before presenting it to partners or colleagues. Or a situation may arise when you send your representative to the meeting and want to repeat the important points that will need to be mentioned. In such cases, you can offer the person “to brush up (on) the material” or “to go over the material” . Both of these verbs mean "repeat", "once again go over something." Synonyms of verbs - “to revise”, “to improve knowledge of”, “to practice” .
Examples:
He decided to go over the presentation material before the meeting.
Anna wants to brush up on her French before the negotiations in our Parisian office.
6. Think through and think out
If at a meeting you have to discuss the terms of the transaction or any proposals, but you can’t immediately give an answer, you can ask for time to think. The verb “to think through” is just for this purpose, it is synonymous with the word “to consider” . And the verb “think out” can replace it, especially in a passive voice with the meaning “thought out” (although “thought through” is also used in this meaning ).
Example:
We need some time to think it through.
Don't make sudden decisions, think it through first.
The scheme was well thought out.
7. Rule out and turn down
We continue the topic of conditions and proposals in the negotiations. If neither one nor the other, you did not like, you can refuse. The verb “to rule out” just means “exclude the option”, “refuse”. The verb “to turn down” is its synonym ; it also means “refuse”. You can replace them with the words “to refuse”, “to reject” and “to dismiss” .
Examples:
We cannot rule out this proposal, it's quite profitable in the long term.
I think we should turn down his request.
8. Bring forward and put off
The circumstances are different. If you understand that the date or time of the meeting needs to be rescheduled, then you can write a letter to the partners or call with the corresponding request. The verbs “to bring forward” (postpone the meeting to an earlier time) and “to put off” (postpone the meeting to a later time) will be appropriate . By the way, the option “to put the meeting back” is also common in British English .
Examples:
The meeting has been brought forward to this Thursday instead of next week.
We had to put the meeting off due to an emergency.
We had to put the meeting back a week.
9. Draw up
In the world of business, no one agrees. All agreements and other memoranda are recorded in writing, and there are responsible people who write the texts of such official papers. That's just for such people the verb “to draw up” comes in handy . It means “prepare in writing” and is most often used in conjunction with nouns that designate a document.
Example:
Now that we have agreed on the details, I'll draw up the contract and send it to you tomorrow.
10. Hand out
If you have to make a presentation, sometimes just slides on the screen are not enough, and you prepare printouts with any information present: graphs, cases and more. Actually, the verb “to hand out” has already passed into the category of nouns, and the word “a handout” has appeared . This verb, of course, sounds much better than a simple “give” .
Example:
Now I'm going to hand out the folders with all the information included.
If you want to pump English, come to us
We give the readers of the blog a coupon of 500 rubles for buying a subscription, which includes 8 types of training and weekly newsletters about English grammar and vocabulary - Vitamins and Buns. Participate in the promotion on March 8 to get even more pleasant bonuses.
And for unlimited and eternal access to all the features of the site there is an “All Inclusive” tariff (the discount is not valid).