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Phrases in a negotiation: Manners and conditionals

13 May 2020 Por collins

All English textbooks have a section reserved for modal verbs and another dedicated to “conditionals”. The truth is, if you do not dominate them, you do not participate in the 1st division of the negotiation league. They are essential weapons for all kinds of situations. Next, I leave a brief description of manners, conditionals and a list of negotiation phrases. If you practice these structures and phrases, you will be much more prepared when sitting at the negotiating table.

Verbos modales

  • Would : I would go. = Yo iría. ; They would buy. = Ellos comprarían ; Would she like more time? = Le gustaría más tiempo?
  • Could : (presente) Could we meet on Friday? = Podríamos quedar el viernes? ; It could be here = Podría estar aquí.
  • Could : (pasado) He couldn’t see. = El no podía ver.; I could drive when I was 16. = Podía conducir cuando tenía 16 años.
  • Should: (ó Ought to) He should go. = El debería ir.; You shouldn’t be here. = No deberías estar aquí; Should we start? = Empezémos?
  • May: (permiso) May I use your computer? = Me permite usar su ordenador?; Yes, you may. = Si, te permito.
  • May / Might: (quizá, a lo mejor) I might/may go to Coruña = A lo mejor voy a Coruña. / Quizá vaya a Coruña.
  • Must: They must have more. = Deben tener más.; We mustn’t be late = No debemos llegar tarde.; I must finish. = Debo terminar
condicionales

The 1st conditional expresses a future conditioned by another circumstance.
“If I see your brother, I will call you.”
“I will call you if I see your brother.”


The 2nd conditional expresses fantasy (something that at the moment is not a reality). The verb tense after “if” is the past simple and if it is the verb “be”, you should always use “were”.
“I would go to the Retiro if I lived in Madrid.”
“If I lived in Madrid, I would go to the Retiro.”


I call the 3rd conditional “A past bull” for its use. You have to use the participle of the verb for both sections. “If I had known you lived here, I would have gone to your house.” “I would have gone to your house if I had known you lived here.”

Filed Under: Business english Tagged With: Condicionales, Frases de Negociación, Modales

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