English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
The Grammar of Peace
The government should hold ~a talk~ with the protesters (nonstandard).
The government should hold *talks* with the protesters (standard).
Talks is used as a plural noun to mean a serious and formal discussions on an important subject, usually intended to produce decisions or agreements.
The government should get the protesters back to ~the negotiation table~ (nonstandard).
The government should get the protesters back to the *negotiating table* (standard).
The government should get the protesters back to the *bargaining table* (standard).
If you say that people are at the negotiating table, you mean that they are having discussions in order to settle a dispute or reach an agreement.
Dr GAB
