Negotiating an Exit Clause Before Signing
Three years locked in with no way out? Before signing, a managing director negotiates an exit clause — and learns the difference between "until" and "by" along the way.
Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test.
✓ To the comprehension testYou may also like
Comprehension test
Listen first, then answer. No penalties — every explanation points to the moment in the conversation.
You'll have it ___ Thursday, to be safe.
If the platform doesn't deliver what we expect, we need the right to walk ___ with six months' notice.
Transcript
Key phrases
Language notes
In this episode a managing director negotiates an exit clause before signing a three-year contract: demanding a termination right, explaining the motive, accepting a performance-based compromise. Plus the evergreen German error: "until Friday" instead of "by Friday" (level B2).
The language of the exit clause
Four terms carry the whole conversation: "exit clause", "termination", "notice" and "to walk away". The core demand follows a fixed pattern: "We need the right to walk away with six months' notice." Jonas's framing matters too: "One point, and for us it's essential" — this marks a point as non-negotiable without threatening.
Cultural note: explaining the motive instead of stacking positions
Michael asks directly about the motive: "Is it trust, or budget flexibility?" In English-speaking negotiation culture, asking about the interest behind the position is completely normal — and Jonas's open answer (the bad experience with a previous supplier) opens the path to compromise. Insisting on the demand alone gets you a no; explaining the motive gets you a tailored solution like the performance-based exit.
until ≠ bis (for deadlines): by is the right word
German "bis" covers two English words: "until" says a state continues up to a point ("The offer is valid until Friday"), "by" sets a deadline ("Send the contract by Friday" = no later than Friday). "We need the contract until Friday" sounds to native speakers as if you want to keep the contract only until Friday and then give it back. Rule of thumb: deadline = by, duration = until — and "no later than" is the formal "spätestens".
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Frequently asked questions
What language level is this episode for?
Level B2 (CEFR). The dialogue uses practical contract and negotiation English; all eight key terms are explained bilingually.
How do I negotiate an exit clause in English?
In four steps: mark the point as essential ("One point, and for us it's essential"), demand the termination right concretely ("the right to walk away with six months' notice"), explain your motive openly and consider a performance-based compromise ("the exit is tied to agreed service levels").
What is the difference between "until" and "by"?
"Until" describes duration up to a point in time ("valid until Friday"), "by" sets a deadline ("send it by Friday" = no later than Friday). German "bis" covers both — for deadlines, English almost always needs "by".
Where can I practise contract negotiations in English live?
In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services (englisch-lehrer.com/online): live lessons with real teachers on Zoom, for companies and individuals across Germany — starting with a free consultation.
Are the voices real?
Episodes are produced with high-quality AI voices (Hume) and editorially reviewed by our trainer team — the same method as our interactive lessons.
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