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Business English Phrases for Negotiating with Suppliers (B1/B2)
- Erin West
- Apr 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 2
Learn Business English Phrases for Negotiating with Suppliers!
Good communication can save you time and money. Learn how to negotiate delivery times, prices, or future orders and sound professional and friendly.
Before you start the exercises, take a look at these key phrases and see how they sound in real business situations.
THANKS FOR GETTING BACK TO ME.
= Thank you for replying to my message or call.
Hi Sam, thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I really appreciate your help.
NO ROOM FOR DELAYS.
= We can’t accept any delays; timing is critical.
We have a trade show next week, so there’s no room for delays this time.
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HOW MUCH MORE ARE WE TALKING?
= How much extra money or time will this take?
I understand the price might be higher this month — how much more are we talking?
IF I COMMIT TO ORDERING...
=If I promise or agree to order a certain amount.
If I commit to ordering 500 units next quarter, can we get a discount on this shipment?
CAN WE WORK SOMETHING OUT?
= Can we find a solution or compromise?
The shipping fee is higher than we expected. Can we work something out?
COULD YOU GIVE ME A BETTER RATE?
= Could you offer me a lower price?
Could you give me a better rate on this order?
IS THERE ANY FLEXIBILITY ON THE PRICE?
= Can you offer a lower price?
We really like your product. Is there any flexibility on the price if we increase the order?
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ARE THERE ANY VOLUME DISCOUNTS?
= Can you lower the price when we buy a large quantity?
We’re planning to order 1,000 units. Are there any volume discounts?
I WAS HOPING FOR...
= a polite way to say what you want or expect
I was hoping for a faster delivery time if possible.
SPLIT THE FEE
= share the cost between two parties
If needed, maybe we can split the express fee to make it easier for both sides.
Practice Section
Business English Phrases for Negotiating with Suppliers
Step 1.
Listen to a short conversation between the business owner (Anita) and the supplier (Greg), and choose the correct answer below.
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Business English Phrases for Negotiating with Suppliers
Step 2.
Read the sentences from the conversation and select the correct answer, then listen to each sentence.
1.
Hi, Greg. Thanks for getting back _____ me.
A) to B) at
KEY
The correct answer is A) to.
Thanks for getting back to me.
= Thank you for replying to me.
I emailed my manager yesterday. Today she called me. I said, “Thanks for getting back to me.”
2.
We need this next batch to arrive on time. No _____ for delays this time.
A) room
B) space
KEY
The correct answer is A) room.
No room for delays this time.
= Delays are not allowed this time. Everything must be on time.
We have a big event tomorrow. Everything must be ready. There’s no room for delays.
3.
-I can make that happen, but it'll cost a bit more. Express shipping rates have gone up.
-How much more are we _____?
A) telling
B) talking
KEY
The correct answer is B) talking.
How much more are we talking? = Tell me the amount. Is it a little more or a lot?/ How much more will it cost?
You said the price went up. How much more are we talking?
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4.
If I _____ to ordering a larger quantity next time, can we work something out on this one?
A) submit
B) commit
KEY
The correct answer is B) commit.
If I commit to ordering...
= If I promise to order.../ If I decide and agree to order...
If I commit to ordering 100 units next month, can I get a discount now?
Can we work something out on this one? = Can we find a solution for this? Can we agree on something better?
The price is too high for me. Can we work something out on this one?
5.
If you confirm now and agree to order 30% more next time, I can _____ the express fee with you.
A) split
B) spit
KEY
The correct answer is A) split.
I can split the express fee with you.
= I can pay part of the express delivery cost, and you pay the other part.
The express fee is $20. Let's split the fee: I’ll pay $10, and you pay $10.
Pro Tip:
When you negotiate in English, keep your tone calm and respectful. You don’t need to use big or formal words. Simple, polite language is often the most effective.
Business English Phrases for Negotiating with Suppliers
Step 3.
Sign in to download the MP3 and transcript, explore more useful phrases, and take the full quiz. Click the image below.
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