English grammar
Softening offers: would be prepared to / could consider / it would suit us
Soften an offer in a negotiation so it doesn't sound pushy, using would be prepared to, could consider and would suit.
From the scene We would be prepared to…
In short
Soften a negotiation with would: we would be prepared to pay, we could consider, it would suit us.
Your turn
Which one goes with floating an idea without committing?
Options: a free month would suit us · we could consider a five-year contract · we would be prepared to pay…
Show answer
floating an idea without committing → we could consider a five-year contract
How it works
In a negotiation, would turns a blunt statement into something that sounds like an offer, not a demand.
Good to know
Compare 'We pay two thousand' with 'We would be prepared to pay two thousand'.
Good to know
Could consider floats an idea without committing to it, and it would suit us presents your interest as something that works for both sides, not just you.
softening a demand into an offer we would be prepared to pay…
Tomás
We would be prepared to pay two thousand euros a month.
Estaríamos dispuestos a pagar dos mil euros al mes.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) two thousand euros a month.
Options: We could consider a five-year contract · A free month would suit us · We would be prepared to pay
Show answer
Tomás
We would be prepared to pay two thousand euros a month.
Estaríamos dispuestos a pagar dos mil euros al mes.
floating an idea without committing we could consider a five-year contract
Tomás
We could consider a five-year contract... Would that interest you?
Podríamos plantearnos un contrato de cinco años... ¿Le interesa?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank)... Would that interest you?
Options: A free month would suit us · We could consider a five-year contract · We would be prepared to pay
Show answer
Tomás
We could consider a five-year contract... Would that interest you?
Podríamos plantearnos un contrato de cinco años... ¿Le interesa?
presenting it as mutual benefit, not just yours a free month would suit us
Ramón
And that a free month would suit us, for the building work.
Y que nos vendría bien un mes gratis, para las obras.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
And that (blank), for the building work.
Options: a free month would suit us · we would be prepared to pay · we could consider a five-year contract
Show answer
Ramón
And that a free month would suit us, for the building work.
Y que nos vendría bien un mes gratis, para las obras.
reporting her offer: she says she would be… she would be prepared to go down to…
Tomás
She says she would be prepared to go down to three thousand...
Dice que estaría dispuesta a bajar a tres mil...
Your turn
What fills the gap?
She says (blank) three thousand...
Options: we would be prepared to pay · we could consider a five-year contract · she would be prepared to go down to
Show answer
Tomás
She says she would be prepared to go down to three thousand...
Dice que estaría dispuesta a bajar a tres mil...
an offer made in response to yours a counter-offer
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| softening a demand into an offer | we would be prepared to pay… |
|---|---|
| floating an idea without committing | we could consider a five-year contract |
| presenting it as mutual benefit, not just yours | a free month would suit us |
| reporting her offer: she says she would be… | she would be prepared to go down to… |
| an offer made in response to yours | a counter-offer |
More lines from the story
- TomásThree thousand five hundred? Is that your counter-offer?¿Tres mil quinientos? ¿Esa es su contraoferta?
- Tomás...if the grumpy gentleman doesn't come to the signing....si el señor que gruñe no viene a la firma.