International Negotiations

4 

 2.49 

Trainees work alone to complete the sentences and then check in pairs. Play the 

recording for them to check their answers and then go through the answers with the class.

Background note

A TNA is a Training Needs Analysis (or assessment), i.e. the research that takes place to 

establish the objectives of a training course or programme.

Extension activity

Trainees work in pairs to identify all the main verb forms (tenses) used in the extracts. Then 

discuss the answers with the class.

Answers

•  The most common verb form is the present perfect: we’ve decided; we’ve settled; we 

haven’t talked. The present perfect is used to focus on the results of the negotiation, 

rather than the time each thing happened. Past simple is also possible in these cases, 

and is used once: we agreed.

•  The negotiator uses will for almost all the future references: we’ll take care; you’ll 

supply; we’ll obviously need; we’ll fix; we’ll have to; we’ll report back; we’ll need.

•  There is also one use of future perfect (will have done), looking back in time at the 

things achieved before a point in the future: By the time of our next meeting we’ll have 

worked out ...

•  A few verbs with would or in the present simple are followed by to-infinitives, with 

a future meaning: You’d like to go ahead; we still need to work out; remains to be 

clarified; you’d like to add.