Insisting and softening your position simplest responses
Without looking below, listen to your teacher and lift up one of the cards you have been given depending on whether you think that what you hear is language to insist (= repeating the same point, not moving) or it is language to soften your position (= compromise, moving from your original position).
When your teacher stops the listening game, label each section below with “S” for softening or “I” for insisting.
This is fundamental.
I can’t compromise on this point.
That is my last word on this matter.
I’m going to have to insist.
Let’s try and find a middle way.
I’m willing to be flexible.
This is a matter of principle.
I’m standing firm on this.
You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.
I’ll try and meet you halfway.
Under duress…
I might be willing to concede on that point.
That’s absolutely my last offer.
I don’t think we’re making any progress here.
I don’t think there’s anything more to say.
I’m really not in a position to be able to do that.
That doesn’t seem like a serious offer.
Unfortunately, I’m unable to accept that.
We could, providing that…
As long as you do your part, I’m willing to consider that.
I was hoping for something considerably better.
I’m sorry, but we’re not very happy with this offer.
I understood that a discount was available.
I’m not really very satisfied with that offer.
I’m sure I don’t need to remind you that…
We would find this somewhat difficult to agree to.
I’m surprised you would even suggest that.
I can’t even consider that.
I think we’ve found some common ground.
I think I can see a way out of this.
I’m going to call your bluff.
I think you are asking far too much.
If you do that, I’ll do what you asked.
That seems acceptable.
That’s my final offer.
I’m sorry, but that point is not negotiable.
That’s a bit high.
I’m not sure we can do that.
I’m not willing to haggle.
I’m going to stand my ground.
I’ll see what I can do.
I’ll think about it.
I’ll get back to you on that.
That wouldn’t go down well at head office.
Check your answers as a class.
Test each other on the language in pairs or small groups:
- Play the same holding up cards game
- Say one insisting phrase and one softening phrase and see if your partner can repeat back the insisting one
- Say one insisting phrase and one softening phrase and see if your partner can repeat back the softening one
- Choose one category and help your partner make phrases with that function (with key words, gapped sentences, etc)
- Shuffle a pack of Insist and Soften Position cards and put them face down on the table. Take a card at random every time that the other person makes a proposal and respond in that way, trying to use different language each time.
Cards to hold up/ Cards for the responding to proposals game
| Insist | Soften position | Insist | Soften position |
| Insist | Soften position | Insist | Soften position |
| Insist | Soften position | Insist | Soften position |
| Insist | Soften position | Insist | Soften position |
| Insist | Soften position | Insist | Soften position |
| Insist | Soften position | Insist | Soften position |
| Insist | Soften position | Insist | Soften position |
| Insist | Soften position | Insist | Soften position |
| Insist | Soften position | Insist | Soften position |
Brainstorming stage
Without looking above for now, write as many suitable phrases as you can in the table below. Many phrases not above are also possible.
| Insisting/ Not changing your position | Softening your position (compromising, etc) |
| |
Use the key words on the next page below to help.
Compare with the original worksheet, brainstorm more, then compare your extra phrases as a class.
Roleplay three negotiations, one with the table above to help, the second with only the key words on the next page below to help, then the last with no help.
Key words for insisting and softening your position
Use these words to help with the brainstorming and/ or as you roleplay negotiations. Some can be used in other phrases not above and/ or be combined in one phrase.
- a bit
- absolutely
- back
- bluff
- can’t
- common
- compromise
- concede
- consider
- difficult
- duress
- far
- final
- firm
- flexible
- fundamental
- haggle
- halfway
- happy
- have to
- head office
- hoping
- if
- last
- middle
- negotiable
- position
- principle
- progress
- providing
- remind
- satisfied
- say
- scratch
- see
- seems
- serious
- stand
- sure
- surprised
- think
- unable
- understood
- way
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