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Joy English

C1 Vocabulary

C1Persuasion and argument20 min

Persuasion and negotiation

Learn phrases such as concede a point, play devil's advocate, drive a hard bargain and meet halfway for debates, meetings and negotiations.

Whether you are presenting a proposal, taking part in a debate or negotiating a contract, you need language that does more than say yes or no. Advanced speakers acknowledge other views, push back politely, make concessions and close agreements. The words in this set will help you to argue and negotiate with precision and tact.

concede a pointphrase
admit that part of someone else's argument is correctI'll concede that your approach is cheaper, but it isn't more reliable.
play devil's advocateidiom
argue against an idea to test it, even if you actually agree with itKofi plays devil's advocate in meetings, which forces us to test our assumptions.
drive a hard bargainidiom
negotiate firmly so that the other side finds it hard to get a good dealOur supplier drives a hard bargain, so we rarely win a discount.
meet halfwayphrase
reach a compromise in which each side gives up somethingWe can't both get everything we want, so let's meet halfway.
swayverb
influence someone's opinion or decisionA single emotional story can sway opinion more than a page of statistics.
cogentadjective
clear, logical and convincingHer argument was so cogent that even the sceptics were persuaded.
rebutverb
argue that a claim is false, usually by giving evidenceSeveral experts tried to rebut the claim, but none produced evidence.
stand your groundidiom
refuse to change your position despite pressureDon't let them intimidate you; stand your ground.
common groundnoun
opinions or interests that both sides shareThe two groups disagree on most things but have found some common ground on safety.
clinch a dealphrase
succeed in finally agreeing a dealThe consultant managed to clinch the deal just before the deadline.
water downphrasal verb
make a proposal or statement weaker or less forcefulThe original plan was watered down by amendments until little ambition remained.
take on boardidiom
accept and give serious thought to advice or criticismThe director promised to take the feedback on board.

Exercise 1 of 2

Choose the best option

Choose the word or phrase that completes each sentence.

  1. He _____ that the costs were higher than expected, but argued that the benefits outweighed them.

  2. Her argument was so _____ that even the sceptics were persuaded.

  3. I'll play _____ for a moment: what if the sample was simply too small?

  4. If someone drives a hard bargain, they ...

  5. After hours of talks, both sides agreed to _____ and split the difference.

  6. The original proposal was so _____ by amendments that little of its ambition remained.

  7. The two groups disagree on most issues but have found some _____ on safety.

  8. What does it mean to take criticism on board?

0 of 8 answered

Exercise 2 of 2

Complete the sentence

Type the word that completes each sentence. Use each word once: advocate, bargain, clinch, concede, ground, halfway, rebut, sway.

  1. The consultant managed to the deal just before the deadline.

  2. Several well-known experts tried to the claim, but none produced any evidence.

  3. A single emotional story can public opinion more than a page of statistics.

  4. Don't let them intimidate you; stand your .

  5. I'm willing to that your approach is cheaper, but it isn't more reliable.

  6. Kofi plays devil's in meetings, which forces us to test our assumptions.

  7. Our supplier drives a hard , so we rarely win a discount.

  8. We can't both get everything we want, so let's meet .

0 of 8 answered

Source

Original lesson by Joy English.

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