4. Negotiating and solving problems

Conversation 26, B2. Negotiating and solving problems. Useful phrases. Listen and repeat.

What we're hoping to achieve is

We could agree to that, provided that

How about if we instead?

I'm afraid that's not really an option for us.

We might be willing to if you could

What's most important for you here?

Let's look at it from a different angle.

I think we have a deal.

So, to confirm what we've agreed

Conversation 26, B2. Dialogue: Negotiating a part-time job.

A So, we'd like you to work three evenings a week, including Fridays.

B I'd be happy to work three evenings, but Fridays are difficult because of my training.

A I see. What's most important for you here – the days or the hours?

B Mostly the days. How about if I worked Saturday mornings instead of Friday?

A We might be willing to do that if you could stay until closing on Wednesdays.

B That's fine, provided that I can leave by nine thirty on school nights.

A All right. So, to confirm what we've agreed: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday morning.

B I think we have a deal.