B2–C1 · 14 patterns

Negotiation phrases and questions in English for B2–C1

Open room for compromise, compare trade-offs, and move from positions to workable decisions with reusable negotiation language.

01 · Use it when you need to

Communication goals

01
propose a compromise without conceding everything
02
ask what can change and what cannot
03
make a decision after comparing trade-offs

02 · Study sets

Study the topic from these validated sets

01Negotiation and decisionsMake proposals, trade-offs, and commitments. · NEG 02Negotiation questionsOpen room for concessions, pauses and workable compromise. · QNGT 03Priorities and trade-offsName what matters most and what can wait. · PRI

03 · Pattern examples

Start with a reusable structure

This is an editorial sample. The linked study sets contain the complete topic collection.

01Could we treat [X] as the basis for a compromise, provided that [Y]?Could we treat the current salary bands as the basis for a compromise, provided that we review the hardest-to-fill roles separately? · DE: Könnten wir die aktuellen Gehaltsbänder als Grundlage für einen Kompromiss nehmen, vorausgesetzt, dass wir die am schwersten zu besetzenden Stellen separat prüfen?02There is a trade-off between [X] and [Y]**There is a trade-off between** automation and manual control. · DE: **Es gibt einen Zielkonflikt zwischen** Automatisierung und manueller Kontrolle.03The advantage of [X] is [Y]; the downside is [Z]**The advantage of** the simpler architecture **is** lower maintenance; **the downside is** less flexibility. · DE: **Der Vorteil der** einfacheren Architektur **ist** der geringere Wartungsaufwand; **der Nachteil ist** die geringere Flexibilität.04If we prioritize [X], we risk sacrificing [Y]**If we prioritize** delivery speed, **we risk sacrificing** test coverage. · DE: **Wenn wir** Liefergeschwindigkeit **priorisieren, riskieren wir,** Testabdeckung **zu opfern**.05The choice comes down to [X] or [Y]**The choice comes down to** keeping the manual control **or** accepting more automation risk. · DE: **Die Entscheidung läuft darauf hinaus,** die manuelle Kontrolle beizubehalten **oder** mehr Automatisierungsrisiko zu akzeptieren.06Given [X], we decided to [Y] because [Z]**Given** the support constraints, we **decided to keep** the simpler workflow **because** the operations team can own it. · DE: **Angesichts** der Supportbedingungen **haben wir beschlossen,** den einfacheren Ablauf beizubehalten, **weil** das Betriebsteam ihn selbst betreuen kann.07How could we proceed if [X]?How could we proceed if the team needs another day to decide? · DE: Wie könnten wir vorgehen, wenn das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht?08What concession would be possible if [X]?What concession would be possible if the team needs another day to decide? · DE: Welche Zugeständnisse wären möglich, wenn das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht?09Would it help to pause if [X]?Would it help to pause if the team needs another day to decide? · DE: Würde es helfen zu pausieren, wenn das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht?10Which compromise could work if [X]?Which compromise could work if the team needs another day to decide? · DE: Welcher Kompromiss könnte funktionieren, wenn das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht?11Given that [X], our priority should be to reduce uncertaintyGiven that the team needs another day to decide, our priority should be to reduce uncertainty. · DE: Da das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht, sollte unsere Priorität darin liegen, Unsicherheit zu verringern.12We need to decide whether [X] before we add new tasksWe need to decide whether the team needs another day to decide before we add new tasks. · DE: Wir müssen entscheiden, ob das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht, bevor wir neue Aufgaben hinzufügen.13The most urgent question is whether [X]The most urgent question is whether the team needs another day to decide. · DE: Die dringendste Frage ist, ob das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht.14Rather than trying to do everything, we should check whether [X]Rather than trying to do everything, we should check whether the team needs another day to decide. · DE: Statt alles zu versuchen, sollten wir prüfen, ob das Team einen weiteren Tag für die Entscheidung braucht.

04 · Related paths

Continue by communication goal

01Professional communicationUse compact advanced patterns to make proposals, clarify decisions, negotiate trade-offs, and keep workplace communication precise.02Planning, priorities, and deadlinesSequence work, state goals, name what matters most, and ask about timing so plans become concrete rather than aspirational.03Persuasion and proposal phrasesMake a case for action, offer a concrete contribution, and support a proposal with reasons without forcing agreement.

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Pattern PracticeFind a pattern you can reuseContinue through a canonical Metkagram learning surface already linked from this page.Pattern AtlasB2–C1 Pattern Atlas for advanced English and GermanContinue through a canonical Metkagram learning surface already linked from this page.Pattern PracticeNegotiate proposals, trade-offs and commitmentsContinue through a canonical Metkagram learning surface already linked from this page.