💡 Learn
"We'd Need to See..." — Conditional Negotiation Language
10 min
B1
Free
Why English negotiations sound indirect
French negotiation is direct: nous voulons, il faut, c'est notre condition. English uses conditionals constantly — not weakness, but strategy. Every "would" and "could" signals: this is negotiable.
Making demands sound like options
"We'd need to see a reduction of at least 10%."
Il nous faudrait une réduction d'au moins 10 %.
→ "We'd need" = firm but negotiable. Much softer than "We need."
Il nous faudrait une réduction d'au moins 10 %.
→ "We'd need" = firm but negotiable. Much softer than "We need."
"If you could extend the payment terms, we'd be in a better position to agree."
Si vous pouviez prolonger les délais, nous serions mieux placés pour accepter.
→ "If... we'd" links a concession to a commitment.
Si vous pouviez prolonger les délais, nous serions mieux placés pour accepter.
→ "If... we'd" links a concession to a commitment.
Making offers
"What if we were to offer a two-year contract instead?"
Et si nous proposions un contrat de deux ans ?
→ Hypothetical offer. Tests the water without committing.
Et si nous proposions un contrat de deux ans ?
→ Hypothetical offer. Tests the water without committing.
"We might be able to consider that if..."
Nous pourrions envisager cela si...
→ Three layers of hedging. Signals flexibility without promise.
Nous pourrions envisager cela si...
→ Three layers of hedging. Signals flexibility without promise.
Pushing back
"That would be difficult for us to accept."
Ce serait difficile pour nous d'accepter.
Not "no" — just "difficult." Leaves room to negotiate.
Ce serait difficile pour nous d'accepter.
Not "no" — just "difficult." Leaves room to negotiate.
"I'm not sure we could go that far, but we could look at..."
Je ne suis pas sûr que nous puissions aller jusque-là, mais nous pourrions examiner...
Rejects one thing while offering an alternative.
Je ne suis pas sûr que nous puissions aller jusque-là, mais nous pourrions examiner...
Rejects one thing while offering an alternative.
Common mistake
"We want a 10% discount" or "It is necessary to reduce the price" — ultimatums, not positions. Use "We'd need to see a reduction around 10%" — same message, negotiable delivery.