Statements with 'what'

The word what is often used to begin a question.

What's so great about their computers?

However, you can begin a statement with what to add emphasis. Look at the two statements below. The what statement is more emphatic.

Their computers are powerful and dependable.

What's so great about their computers is that they're powerful and dependable.

Notice that the what clause, which contains the subject of the sentence, is followed by the verb be.

What we need to do is upgrade our software.

What you should try is outsourcing the work to a vendor.

Collocations with 'make,' 'do' and 'take'

Collocations are two or more words that are commonly used together. A good understanding of collocations will help improve your oral fluency, as well as your reading and
listening skills.

Here are some collocations with the verb make:

Do you think we're making headway in the negotiations?
We really need to make a decision today.
I think we finally made a breakthrough in the negotiations.

Here are some collocations with the verb do:

It's important to do research before negotiations begin.
It's been a pleasure doing business with you.
You did very well. Congratulations!
I want you to do your homework before the meeting tomorrow.
Here are some collocations with the verb take:
They're trying to take advantage of us!
Our vendor takes good care of us.
There's no need to rush. Take your time.
I want you to take the lead in the negotiations.

Group the words depending on if they are used with make, do or take.

Move the text to the correct categories.

make
a decision
something work
a breakthrough
headway
sure
do
well
research
business with
a great job
your homework
take
care of
a break
the lead
advantage of
your time
Stating your position

At the start of a negotiation, it's important to state clearly your opening position. Use expressions like these:

Let me begin by saying we need 75 machines over the next six

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Let me begin by saying we need 75 machines over the next six months.
months.

To begin with, you have to understand we have tough budget

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To begin with, you have to understand we have tough budget limitations.

limitations.

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I'm confident that we can work something out. I'm confident that we can work something out.
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We were expecting a better offer from you. We were expecting a better offer from you.
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We have certain limitations, but we'll try to be flexible. We have certain limitations, but we'll try to be flexible.

Clarifying

Your goal in a negotiation is to get what you want. During the negotiation, clarify your position as many times as necessary in pursuit of your goal.

Use these questions to get clarification:

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Could you clarify a point for me? Could you clarify a point for me?
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I'm not sure I fully understand your point. I'm not sure I fully understand your point.
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What exactly do you mean by discount? What exactly do you mean by discount?
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Could you be more specific? Could you be more specific?

So what you're saying is, there's no way you can deliver
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So what you're saying is, there's no way you can deliver immediately?
immediately?

Use these statements to give clarification:

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So, just to clarify, we cannot go that low. So, just to clarify, we cannot go that low.
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So, to put it another way, the more you buy, the less you pay. So, to put it another way, the more you buy, the less you pay.
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What I'm saying is, we can offer you a small discount. What I'm saying is, we can offer you a small discount.
Audio Player

To be more specific, we can discount the price by 10%. To be more specific, we can discount the price by 10%.
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What we mean is, that won't be possible. What we mean is, that won't be possible.

Negotiating

There is a lot of back and forth in negotiations. Use these expressions to talk about offers and proposals:

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Your preliminary offer was much higher than we expected. Your preliminary offer was much higher than we expected.
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I propose that you buy a different model. I propose that you buy a different model.
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What do you propose that we do? What do you propose that we do?
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My offer is 300 units at $250 each. My offer is 300 units at $250 each.

Use these expressions to reject an offer or proposal:

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I'm afraid that price is out of the question. I'm afraid that price is out of the question.
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I'm sorry, but we can't offer that kind of discount. I'm sorry, but we can't offer that kind of discount.
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There's just no way we can accept your offer. There's just no way we can accept your offer.

Use these expressions to make a counteroffer:

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I have a counteroffer for you. How about 20%? I have a counteroffer for you. How about 20%?
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What would you say if I offered $500? What would you say if I offered $500?
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Would you consider increasing the quantity? Would you consider increasing the quantity?
Repeated actions in the past with 'would'

Use would + verb to talk about habits or repeated events in the past.

Glen and I would explore old buildings in the city.

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Glen and I would explore old buildings in the city.

We wouldn't come home until dark.
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We wouldn't come home until dark.

When she'd play make-believe with her friends, she would always be
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a doctor.
You can also use used to + verb to talk about habits or repeated events in the past. Notice that used to also emphasizes that a past state no longer
exists.

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I used to be a troublemaker. I used to be a troublemaker.

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I used to live near the woods. I used to live near the woods.
I used to have a detective hat. I would put it on and solve
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I used to have a detective hat. I would put it on and solve imaginary crimes.
imaginary crimes.

Language note: Pay attention to context when you're using would for past actions and events. It has the same structure as would for desires,
possibilities, advice and future states. For example, notice the difference in meaning between these two sentences:

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When I was young, I would hang out with friends at the golf course.
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I would hang out with friends more if I weren't working so much right now