If you’ve ever come across the words negociate and negotiate, you might wonder if they both mean the same thing. Are both of these words correct to use when talking about discussing something to reach an agreement? Let’s clear up any confusion you might have about these words.
Negotiate is the correct spelling for the verb that means to discuss something to reach an agreement. The word negociate is an outdated form that is no longer used in modern English. For example, if you are buying a car, you might negotiate the price with the seller to get a better deal.
Always use negotiate in formal and informal writing. This ensures clarity and correctness, helping you communicate effectively in both business and personal situations.
Understanding the Word ‘Negotiate’
First, let’s talk about negotiate. This is a term you might see a lot in news about business or politics. It means to discuss something formally to reach an agreement or compromise. For example, two companies might negotiate a deal or countries might negotiate a treaty.
Examples of ‘negotiate’ in Sentences:
- The manager negotiated a better salary for his team.
- She negotiated the tricky roads with ease.
- They are negotiating the terms of the divorce.
So, What About ‘Negociate’?
It’s all right to be puzzled when you see the word negociate. It looks and sounds a lot like ‘negotiate,’ right? Well, turns out there’s a specific reason for that. ‘Negociate’ is actually a very old version of the word ‘negotiable’ and was used similarly in the past. These days, it’s considered an outdated form and generally not used in modern English.
If you think of an old dusty book from hundreds of years ago, ‘negociate’ might have appeared there. But in everyday conversation or writing now, we stick to ‘negotiate’. The old version has mostly disappeared, just like many old words do.
Why ‘Negotiate’ is the Preferred Choice
Since ‘negotiate’ is commonly recognized and understood today, using ‘negociate’ might confuse people. In written and spoken English around the world, your best choice is negotiate. This is because everyone agrees on its meaning, and using it keeps communication smooth and clear.
More Examples:
- After long negotiations, the striker agreed to rejoin the soccer team.
- We need to negotiate the price of the car.
Just imagine you’re at a bustling market, trying to buy some fresh fruits. The seller has priced the apples a bit high. You might say, “Let’s negotiate the price.” Here, you’re using the word exactly as most people do today.
Nailing It Down
Now, let’s take a moment to really nail this concept down. Think of ‘negotiate’ as your go-to word whenever you need to talk about breaking through disagreements or making deals.
‘Negotiate’ works in all kinds of sentences and situations, whether you are dealing with a friend over who gets the last piece of pizza or with a car dealer for a better price.
Conclusion
To wrap up, while the origins and connections between ‘negociate’ and ‘negotiate’ are interesting, only ‘negotiate’ fits into our modern language use. It’s the clear, functional choice for our day-to-day communication. Next time when you’re discussing or making a deal, remember to stick with ‘negotiate’ to make everything simpler and clearer.
So, whenever you find yourself preparing for a discussion or an agreement, you know the word to use. Can you think of a time when you might need to negotiate soon? How will you make sure you get a fair deal?
It’s amazing how choosing the right word can make our intentions and meanings more transparent, isn’t it?
