English Learning for Beginners: Negotiations
Dialogue
Bob: Alice, can you help me with something? It’s really important!
Alice: Bob! Oh, okay. What do you need? Is it heavy? Because my “heavy lifting” fee is quite high today.
Bob: Haha, very funny. It’s just moving some boxes in my apartment. But one of them is HUGE. Like, really, really huge.
Alice: Hmm, “really, really huge,” you say? What’s in it for me? Free lunch?
Bob: Lunch? Uh, I was thinking… a heartfelt thank you?
Alice: A heartfelt thank you won’t feed me, Bob. My stomach negotiates hard.
Bob: Okay, okay! How about coffee and a donut? My treat, after the boxes are moved.
Alice: Coffee and a donut… for the HUGE box? That’s a strong “no way!” from my muscles.
Bob: Ugh, fine! How about coffee, a donut, AND I’ll wash your car next weekend?
Alice: Ooh, washing my car? Now you’re talking! Does “next weekend” mean “definitely by Sunday evening”?
Bob: Yes, definitely by Sunday evening! Deal?
Alice: Let me think… okay, that sounds fair. But I choose the donut flavor!
Bob: Deal! You can choose any donut flavor. Even the sprinkles one.
Alice: Excellent! See, Bob? Everyone’s a negotiator when they try hard enough.
Bob: You’re tough, Alice. Really tough. Remind me never to buy a car from you!
Current Situation
Negotiations aren’t just for business people in fancy suits! We negotiate every day without even realizing it. When you decide who pays for coffee with a friend, or if you can borrow your sibling’s favorite shirt, or even what movie to watch, you are negotiating! It’s about talking to find an agreement that works for everyone. For beginners, understanding simple phrases to ask for things, make offers, and agree or disagree is a great start to everyday English conversations.
Key Phrases
1. Can you help me with something?
Example: Can you help me with my homework?
2. What do you need?
Example: My car is broken. What do you need to fix it?
3. What’s in it for me?
Example: If I work extra hours, what’s in it for me? More money?
4. I was thinking…
Example: I was thinking… maybe we can go to the park later?
5. How about…?
Example: I don’t like pizza. How about spaghetti?
6. No way!
Example: You want me to jump from that high? No way!
7. Now you’re talking!
Example: You want to offer me a raise? Now you’re talking!
8. That sounds fair.
Example: You cook, and I’ll clean? That sounds fair.
9. Deal!
Example: If you do the dishes, I’ll buy ice cream. Deal!
Grammar Points
1. Asking Questions with “What”
We use “What” to ask for information about things. It helps us understand details.
- What do you need? (Asking for the specific item or favor)
- What’s (What is) in it for me? (Asking about the benefit)
- What’s the news? (Asking for information)
2. Using “Can” for Requests and Ability
“Can” is a helpful word for asking if someone is able to do something or for making a polite request.
- Can you help me? (Requesting help)
- I can offer you coffee. (Stating what you are able to give)
- I can’t (cannot) lift that box. (Stating what you are not able to do)
3. Simple Present Tense
We use the simple present tense for actions that happen regularly, facts, or things that are generally true.
- My stomach negotiates hard. (A general truth about her stomach)
- I need your help. (A current fact/request)
- She chooses the donut flavor. (A habit or agreement)
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Match the Question to the Best Answer
- What do you need?
- Can you help me?
- What’s in it for me?
- How about a movie?
- Does that sound fair?
- ( ) A: Yes, that sounds fair.
- ( ) B: Sure, what is it?
- ( ) C: I need to buy some milk.
- ( ) D: I’ll buy you popcorn!
- ( ) E: Oh, I’m too tired.
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Word (Can / What / How)
- ___ you lend me your pen?
- ___ about going for a walk?
- ___ is your favorite color?
- I ___ swim very fast.
- ___ do you want for dinner?
Exercise 3: Put the Conversation in Order
Arrange these sentences to make a short, logical negotiation dialogue.
- ( ) Alice: Deal! And I choose the music.
- ( ) Bob: How about I help you with your homework?
- ( ) Alice: What’s in it for me?
- ( ) Bob: Okay, deal!
- ( ) Alice: Bob, can you help me clean the kitchen?
Answers
Exercise 1: Match the Question to the Best Answer
a. What do you need? – (C) I need to buy some milk.
b. Can you help me? – (B) Sure, what is it?
c. What’s in it for me? – (D) I’ll buy you popcorn!
d. How about a movie? – (E) Oh, I’m too tired.
e. Does that sound fair? – (A) Yes, that sounds fair.
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Word
- Can you lend me your pen?
- How about going for a walk?
- What is your favorite color?
- I can swim very fast.
- What do you want for dinner?
Exercise 3: Put the Conversation in Order
- (5) Alice: Bob, can you help me clean the kitchen?
- (3) Alice: What’s in it for me?
- (1) Bob: How about I help you with your homework?
- (4) Alice: Deal! And I choose the music.
- (2) Bob: Okay, deal!
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