#37 Asking How to Use a Map App｜English Travel Phrases
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#60 Reaching an Agreement in Business Negotiations｜Business English Phrases
Izumi
In business negotiations, it is important to align expectations and ultimately reach a mutually agreeable set of terms.
When negotiating in English, you communicate your thoughts on the other party’s proposal and express your own preferences politely, working together to find common ground that satisfies both sides.
In this article, I introduce practical English expressions that are useful when a negotiation is nearing agreement, how to confirm specific conditions, and phrases for expressing final consent.
Contents
Dialogue
Thank you for the detailed proposal. I think most of the conditions work well for us.
I’m glad to hear that. Is there anything you’d like to adjust before we finalize the agreement?
Just one thing. Could we extend the support period from three months to six months?
That should be fine. We can extend it to six months without changing the price.
Great. In that case, we agree to all the terms.
Perfect. I’ll prepare the contract and send it to you by tomorrow.
1. Opening Expressions for Moving Toward Agreement
In negotiations, it is helpful to show at the outset that you are “generally in agreement,” as this creates a positive atmosphere and allows discussions to proceed smoothly.
- I think most of the conditions work well for us.
The phrase “work well for us” means “suitable for us” or “acceptable from our standpoint.” It conveys a positive stance without implying complete approval.
Other similar expressions include:
- The proposal looks good overall.
- We’re generally satisfied with the terms.
These expressions are useful when guiding a negotiation in a constructive direction.
2. Communicating Points You Would Like to Adjust
Toward the end of a negotiation, it is common to review and confirm detailed conditions.
When the other party asks:
- Is there anything you’d like to adjust?
When you express your request:
- Could we extend the support period from three months to six months?
The phrase “Could we ～?” is particularly polite and allows you to make a request without putting pressure on the other party.
Comparison of similar expressions:
| Expression | Nuance |
|---|---|
| Can we ～ ? | Slightly direct and practical |
| Could we ～ ? | Polite, considerate |
| Would it be possible to ～ ? | Even more polite, highly formal |
These expressions allow your request to be received as a “discussion of adjustments,” rather than a demand.
3. Expressing Agreement or Acceptance
When responding positively to the other party’s request, the following expression is very convenient:
- That should be fine.
Here, “should” conveys a moderate, non-absolute affirmation—“it will likely be fine” or “it appears acceptable.”
In business contexts, this sort of balanced expression is preferred, as it shows both positivity and careful judgment.
Other ways to express agreement:
- That works for us.
- We can agree to that.
- We can make that adjustment.
4. Expressing Final Agreement
At the close of a negotiation, it is essential to express agreement clearly.
- We agree to all the terms.
The expression “agree to ～” is widely used in negotiations and appears frequently in formal contracts.
To move the discussion toward the next step, you can also use:
- We’re ready to move forward.
- Let’s proceed with the contract.
- We look forward to working together.
Summary
- I think most of the conditions work well for us.
→ Signals general agreement and helps negotiations move forward positively. - Could we extend / revise ～ ?
→ A polite and non-imposing way to request an adjustment to the terms. - That should be fine.
→ A positive yet measured expression used when accepting the other party’s request. - We agree to all the terms.
→ A clear final expression of agreement, frequently used in formal contracts.
