🔶 Part 1 — Tutorial

Step 1 — Analyse the task & define both sides (Benefits vs Risks • Outweigh)

Read the prompt twice and underline the decision verb and topic scope. Here the scope is widespread CCTV cameras in public places and the decision verb is “outweigh,” which requires a judgement after comparing both sides. Generate two or three developable benefits: for instance, deterrence (visible cameras can discourage opportunistic crime), investigation (footage assists police to identify suspects and reconstruct events), and reassurance (people feel safer in busy hubs). Then list two or three realistic risks: privacy (constant recording may feel intrusive), misuse (data leaks or access without oversight), and mission creep (systems used beyond their original purpose). Decide early what your weighing criteria are: effect size (does CCTV materially reduce crime?), proportionality (is surveillance limited to high-risk areas?), and governance (clear rules on storage, retention, access, and audit). Choose a stance you can argue consistently (e.g., “benefits outweigh risks when safeguards exist” or “risks outweigh because safeguards are often weak”). Keep examples micro-sized and plausible: a city bus station where footage helps identify a pickpocket; a small town with poor data controls that leaks recordings. Avoid drifting into a for/against technology debate; the task is a weighing comparison. Finally, note your time plan (~8–9 min plan, 25–28 write, 3–4 check) and list a few evaluation verbs you will use: “offset,” “carry more weight,” “hinge on,” “remain marginal,” “are contingent on policy.”

Example Box — Decoding the Prompt (CCTV • Outweigh)

Prompt: “Widespread CCTV cameras are used in public places. Do the benefits outweigh the risks?”
Focus: Present both sides, then judge which side is stronger and explain why.
Typical angles: Benefits → deterrence, evidence, reassurance; Risks → privacy, misuse, mission creep, cost.
Pitfall: Listing many ideas but never stating an explicit weighing verdict.

Step 2 — Plan a clear structure & argument flow

Use four or five paragraphs for control and balance. The introduction should paraphrase the statement and present a thesis that answers the weigh question (“on balance, benefits outweigh risks because …” / “risks outweigh benefits due to …”). In Body 1, develop the benefits with a labelled topic sentence (e.g., “A key advantage is deterrence and evidence gathering”), then build a reason → mechanism → micro-example chain: “visible cameras raise the perceived chance of being caught, which discourages petty theft; for example, footage from a train platform helped identify a bag-snatcher within hours.” In Body 2, mirror this for the risks (erosion of anonymity in public, data retention without oversight, potential profiling), again with a one-line example (a municipality stored footage without audit and an employee leaked clips). Insert an evaluation line either at the end of Body 2 or as a short bridge paragraph to compare weight explicitly (“although privacy concerns are legitimate, targeted deployment with strict retention policies can offset most risks”). The conclusion restates the judgement in fresh language and mentions the condition(s) that govern your verdict (e.g., signage, retention limits, independent audits). Keep both bodies similar in size so the comparison feels fair, then deliver a clear decision.

Example Box — Skeleton Plan (CCTV • Outweigh)

Intro: Paraphrase + thesis answering “outweigh?”.
Body 1 (Benefits): deterrence + investigation/reassurance → micro-example.
Body 2 (Risks): privacy + misuse/mission creep → micro-example.
Evaluation: One sentence explicitly weighing which side is stronger and why.
Conclusion: Restate judgement + condition(s) (e.g., retention limits, audits, signage).

Step 3 — Write balanced, high-impact paragraphs

Begin each body with a labelled topic sentence so the examiner sees which side you are discussing. Turn reasons into mechanisms rather than slogans: “recorded footage raises detection probability, which discourages opportunistic theft,” not just “CCTV stops crime.” Keep micro-examples specific and one line long (e.g., “after a vandalism incident, timestamps linked a suspect to the scene”). Use evaluative lexis to compare weight: “carry greater weight,” “are offset by,” “remain limited when…,” “are decisive in…”. Add balanced concessions inside paragraphs (“while data retention raises privacy concerns, strict deletion windows and access logs reduce exposure”). Maintain a formal, objective register and avoid invented statistics. Vary sentence length to control rhythm and emphasis. Keep referencing tight (“these risks,” “such safeguards”). End Body 2 with a crisp comparison line that prepares the conclusion (“despite non-trivial privacy issues, targeted cameras with oversight often deliver a net public-safety gain”).

Example Box — High-impact Sentences (CCTV)

Thesis (benefits outweigh): “On balance, CCTV’s public-safety benefits outweigh the risks because footage deters opportunistic crime and supports swift investigations.”
Thesis (risks outweigh): “Overall, the risks outweigh the benefits, since weak data governance can erode privacy and trust.”
Benefit topic: “A major benefit is deterrence, as visible cameras raise the perceived chance of being identified.”
Risk topic: “However, constant recording may intrude on privacy, especially where retention rules are unclear.”
Evaluation line: “Where signage, short retention, and audits exist, safety gains generally carry more weight than residual risks.”
Conclusion line: “Therefore, with proportionate deployment and oversight, CCTV is a net positive in many public spaces.”

Step 4 — Language, cohesion, and accuracy

Choose precise lexis: deterrence, footage, surveillance, public interest, proportionality, governance, retention window, audit trail, oversight, misuse, mission creep. Use weighing connectors: while, whereas, nevertheless, on balance, to a large extent, carry more weight than, are offset by, hinge on. Build reason → mechanism → example chains to show development. Manage articles and countability accurately (footage is uncountable; risks are countable). Keep comparatives exact (more effective than, the most significant risk). Use hedging to stay academic (to a considerable extent, in many city centres). Proofread punctuation in complex sentences, especially after long adverbial clauses. Aim for ~280–310 words and ensure a clear verdict appears in both the thesis and conclusion.

Example Box — Quick Quality Checks

Task: Is there a clear “outweigh” verdict?
Balance: Are benefits and risks both developed before judging?
Development: Reason → mechanism → micro-example present?
Evaluation: Is there an explicit weighing line?
Accuracy: Articles, prepositions, comparatives correct?

Universal Fill-in-the-Gap Template — Benefits vs Risks (CCTV • Outweigh)

Replace […] with your ideas. Keep sentences concise and finish with a clear verdict.

Sentence-by-Sentence Scaffold (CCTV)

Intro S1 (Paraphrase): In many cities, CCTV cameras are widely used in public places.

Intro S2 (Thesis): This essay argues that the benefits [outweigh / are outweighed by] the risks because […].

Body 1 S3 (Benefit — topic): A major benefit is [… e.g., deterrence / faster investigations …].

Body 1 S4 (Explain): [… mechanism …] which increases [… outcome, e.g., the chance of identifying offenders …].

Body 1 S5 (Micro-example): For example, [… concise, plausible illustration …].

Body 1 S6 (Link back): Therefore, in [… context/area …], CCTV provides a clear advantage.

Body 2 S7 (Risk — topic): Nevertheless, there are important risks such as [… privacy / misuse …].

Body 2 S8 (Explain): [… mechanism …] leading to [… impact on trust/rights …].

Body 2 S9 (Micro-example): For instance, [… concise illustration …].

Body 2 S10 (Link back): Thus, for [… group/context …], these risks are significant.

Evaluation S11 (Weighing): On balance, although [… risk …], [… benefit …] carries more weight because […].

Conclusion S12 (Restate verdict): In summary, the benefits [outweigh / are outweighed by] the risks.

Conclusion S13 (Condition/Synthesis): This judgement holds especially when [… safeguards, e.g., clear signage, strict retention, independent audits …].

Paraphrase & Thesis — Ready-to-adapt Samples (CCTV)

Paraphrase Options

P1: Many towns now rely on CCTV to monitor public spaces.
P2: Surveillance cameras are increasingly common in streets, stations, and shopping areas.

Thesis/Opinion Options

Benefits outweigh: While privacy matters, visible cameras deter opportunistic crime and help solve cases, so the benefits carry more weight in many public spaces.
Risks outweigh: Because data can be stored or accessed without strong safeguards, the risks to privacy and trust outweigh the claimed benefits.
Conditional: Where signage, short retention, and independent audits are in place, benefits tend to outweigh risks; otherwise the balance may reverse.

🔶 Part 2 — Task
⏳ 40:00

[IELTS Academic] [Writing Task 2] — Outweigh Question

Instructions

Spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write at least 250 words.

Task

Many employees are now working from home instead of travelling to a workplace.
Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?

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🔶 Part 3 — Sample Answers

[IELTS Academic] [Writing Task 2] — Sample Answers (Outweigh)

Below are three model essays for the task: “Many employees are now working from home instead of travelling to a workplace. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?” Each response follows the scaffold from Part 1 and exceeds 260 words.

Band 6 — Sample Answer

In recent years, many organisations have allowed staff to work from home rather than commute to a traditional office. In my view, the advantages of this change outweigh the disadvantages because people save time and money, and many can focus better in a calmer environment, although it does not suit every job or personality.

The main benefit is efficiency. Without a daily journey, workers gain one or two extra hours that can be used for rest, exercise or earlier starts, and transport costs fall immediately. This often improves mood and energy, which can raise productivity. In addition, some people complete concentrated tasks more quickly at home because there are fewer casual interruptions. For example, a data analyst can set short, focused blocks of time to finish reports without colleagues stopping by their desk. There are also wider gains: fewer commuters reduce traffic and pollution in busy cities.

On the other hand, working from home can create problems. Some employees feel isolated, and new staff may learn more slowly without quick guidance from a nearby teammate. Boundaries between work and personal life can blur, especially in small apartments, which may cause stress or longer hours. Distractions such as family noise can also make calls difficult. However, these issues can be reduced by simple rules, such as regular video check-ins, shared online notes, and using a local co-working space once or twice a week.

On balance, although remote work is not perfect, its advantages carry more weight for many knowledge-based roles. When companies set clear hours, encourage teamwork online, and offer optional office days, most disadvantages become manageable. Therefore, I believe the benefits of working from home outweigh the downsides for a large number of employees.

Why this Band 6 answer is good (Step-by-step)

1) The introduction paraphrases the prompt without copying it word for word.

2) A clear thesis answers the weigh question (“advantages outweigh disadvantages”).

3) Body 1 opens with a labelled topic sentence (“The main benefit is efficiency”).

4) Reasons are linked to mechanisms: saved time → better mood/energy → higher productivity.

5) A micro-example (“data analyst… focused blocks”) is concise and believable.

6) There is a wider effect (reduced traffic and pollution) to show broader significance.

7) Body 2 presents risks fairly: isolation, slower learning, blurred boundaries, distractions.

8) Problems are explained through cause–effect rather than listed as slogans.

9) A short set of remedies (check-ins, notes, co-working) prevents one-sided argument.

10) An explicit weighing line appears in the final paragraph (“advantages carry more weight”).

11) The conclusion restates the verdict in new words and mentions conditions for success.

12) Vocabulary is mostly precise for Band 6 (efficiency, interruptions, co-working).

13) Paragraphing is clear and lengths are balanced across both sides.

14) Sentence structures vary between simple and compound for readability.

15) Tone stays formal and objective without statistics or extreme claims.

Band 7 — Sample Answer

With the spread of reliable internet tools, home-based work has moved from a niche perk to a mainstream arrangement. This essay argues that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages because remote work allows people to match tasks to the environments where they perform best and enables firms to organise time more flexibly, even though it can weaken informal learning and team cohesion if it is handled poorly.

The case for remote work rests on autonomy and focus. When employees control their schedules, they can place deep-concentration tasks in their most productive hours and reserve meetings for narrower windows, which reduces fragmentation. Commuting time converts into recovery or preparation, and the cost savings are immediate. Furthermore, digital collaboration lets teams coordinate across locations; a designer can share drafts asynchronously, while a manager reviews them before a short decision call. In many roles, this sequencing improves throughput without requiring longer days.

Nevertheless, the model has drawbacks. Newcomers miss “over-the-shoulder” guidance and may struggle to build trust without casual contact. Miscommunication can grow when messages lack tone or when responses arrive late across time zones. Some homes are cramped or noisy, which undermines any productivity gains. Yet these risks can be offset through predictable check-ins, clear documentation, and a modest number of in-person days for mentoring and social glue. Once such scaffolding exists, the remaining disadvantages become limited for most knowledge work.

On balance, remote work’s benefits carry more weight because autonomy and thoughtful coordination typically raise output while protecting well-being. Where companies invest in onboarding rituals, shared playbooks and occasional co-location, the trade-offs tilt decisively towards the advantages.

Why this Band 7 answer is good (Step-by-step)

1) The introduction paraphrases effectively and states a direct outweigh verdict.

2) A precise two-part rationale appears in the thesis (task–environment match; flexible time).

3) Body 1 develops a reason → mechanism → example chain (autonomy → focus → sequencing).

4) Examples are role-specific (designer, manager) yet concise and non-anecdotal.

5) Cohesive devices guide the reader (When…, Furthermore…, In many roles…).

6) Lexis is more sophisticated (fragmentation, throughput, asynchronously).

7) Body 2 names concrete risks (weak onboarding, trust, time-zone delays, cramped homes).

8) Risks are balanced by solutions (check-ins, documentation, in-person days).

9) An evaluation sentence explicitly weighs the sides (“remaining disadvantages become limited”).

10) The conclusion restates the verdict and conditions without repeating earlier wording.

11) Paragraph lengths are controlled and symmetrical for balance.

12) Complex sentences are used accurately with clear subordination.

13) The tone is analytical and avoids exaggeration, suitable for Band 7.

14) Word choice supports precision (scaffolding, trade-offs, co-location).

15) Cohesion is strengthened by parallel structures (onboarding rituals, playbooks, co-location).

Band 8+ — Sample Answer

The sudden expansion of home-based work has forced organisations to reconsider how, when and where knowledge is produced. This essay argues that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages because remote arrangements, when designed deliberately, increase productive time and widen access to talent while the principal risks—erosion of informal learning, weaker oversight and unequal home conditions—are largely governance problems rather than inherent flaws.

First, remote work reallocates hours from low-value commuting to high-value preparation, focus and recovery. The effect is not just a longer day but a better one: employees can schedule deep work when they are cognitively fresh and push routine coordination into short, well-timed windows. Teams that document decisions and share artefacts asynchronously often see fewer status meetings and faster cycle times. Moreover, firms are no longer constrained by postcode, so they can hire specialists who were previously out of reach, which raises capability without expensive relocations.

Set against these gains are meaningful risks. Graduates and new joiners lose “over-the-shoulder” exposure that accelerates tacit learning. Managers may struggle to detect overload or disengagement without physical cues. Some staff work in cramped flats with unreliable internet, which compounds stress. Yet these weaknesses reflect design choices. Mentoring can be rebuilt through structured shadowing on calls; well-being is visible in lightweight check-ins and transparent workload boards; and equity improves when companies co-fund co-working passes or provide equipment grants. Under such policies, the disadvantages shrink from structural barriers to bounded frictions.

On balance, the advantages carry more weight because thoughtful remote design converts time savings into sustained performance and opens labour markets that offices could not reach. Where organisations combine documentation, humane metrics and periodic in-person intensives, working from home is a net positive for both people and productivity.

Why this Band 8+ answer is good (Step-by-step)

1) The thesis delivers a direct outweigh verdict and frames risks as governance-dependent.

2) Paragraph 1 synthesises two main advantages with precise, domain-appropriate lexis.

3) The benefits are explained via mechanism (time reallocation → improved cognition → better sequencing).

4) Asynchronous documentation is used as a concrete practice, not a buzzword.

5) Talent access is linked to business capability, showing macro-level impact.

6) Paragraph 2 treats risks as serious (tacit learning, oversight, inequality) to maintain balance.

7) Each risk is paired with a realistic mitigation (shadowing, check-ins, workload boards, grants).

8) The evaluation sentence reframes weaknesses as design choices, enabling a fair comparison.

9) Cohesion is achieved with parallel structures and controlled referencing (“these gains,” “these weaknesses”).

10) Sentence variety includes periodic and balanced clauses for emphasis and flow.

11) Word choice is concise and formal (bounded frictions, periodic intensives, humane metrics).

12) Topic sentences label function (gains vs risks) to orient the examiner quickly.

13) The conclusion restates the verdict using fresh wording and states the conditions succinctly.

14) No invented statistics or anecdotes are used; claims rely on mechanism and plausibility.

15) Paragraph sizes are symmetrical, supporting coherence and emphatic weighing.

16) Overall register and precision are consistent with Band 8 or higher performance.

🔶 Part 4 — Vocabulary

Key Vocabulary from the Task

Task focus: “Many employees are now working from home instead of travelling to a workplace. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?”
Each item below includes IPA (BrE/AmE), part(s) of speech, patterns, a clear definition, an example with a short gloss, useful synonyms, and common learner mistakes.

Autonomy — BrE /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/ • AmE /ɔːˈtɑːnəmi/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U).

Patterns: autonomy to + V; grant/give sb autonomy over N; professional/personal autonomy.

Definition: the freedom to make decisions about how to organise and carry out one’s work without constant supervision.

Example: “Remote schedules give analysts more autonomy to arrange deep-work hours.” [gloss: workers control when/how they focus]

Synonyms: independence; self-direction; discretion.

Common mistakes: ✘ “an autonomy” (uncountable) → ✓ “greater autonomy”; ✘ “autonomy for do” → ✓ “autonomy to do”.

Productivity — BrE /ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvɪti/ • AmE /ˌproʊdʌkˈtɪvɪti/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U).

Patterns: boost/improve productivity; productivity gains/levels; drop in productivity.

Definition: the rate at which useful work is completed, often within a given time period.

Example: “Cutting the commute can raise productivity by freeing time for preparation.” [gloss: more output in same hours]

Synonyms: output; efficiency; performance.

Common mistakes: ✘ “productivities” (rare/pluralised) → ✓ use as uncountable; ✘ “increase of productivity” → ✓ “increase in productivity”.

Work–life balance — BrE /ˌwɜːk laɪf ˈbæl.əns/ • AmE /ˌwɜːrk laɪf ˈbæl.əns/

Part(s) of speech: noun phrase.

Patterns: achieve/maintain work–life balance; good/poor work–life balance.

Definition: the ability to divide time and energy appropriately between job duties and personal life.

Example: “Home-based schedules can improve work–life balance if hours are clearly set.” [gloss: healthier split between work/home]

Synonyms: life–work equilibrium; healthy scheduling.

Common mistakes: ✘ missing hyphen/en-dash (“work life balance”) → ✓ “work–life balance”; ✘ “balance between work to life” → ✓ “balance between work and life”.

Isolation — BrE/AmE /ˌaɪsəˈleɪʃn/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U/C).

Patterns: feel/suffer from isolation; social/professional isolation; reduce isolation through …

Definition: the state of being separated from colleagues or social contact.

Example: “New hires may experience isolation without informal office chats.” [gloss: lack of everyday contact]

Synonyms: solitude; remoteness; alienation (context-dependent).

Common mistakes: Confusing isolation (state) with isolationism (political policy); overusing as countable (“an isolation”).

Collaboration — BrE/AmE /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃn/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U/C).

Patterns: collaboration with sb on sth; cross-team collaboration; tools for collaboration.

Definition: the act of people working together to achieve a shared goal.

Example: “Shared documents enable real-time collaboration despite distance.” [gloss: people build work together]

Synonyms: cooperation; teamwork; co-creation.

Common mistakes: ✘ “collaboration to a project” → ✓ “collaboration on a project”.

Asynchronous — BrE/AmE /ˌeɪˈsɪŋkrənəs/

Part(s) of speech: adjective.

Patterns: asynchronous work/communication; collaborate asynchronously via N.

Definition: happening at different times rather than in a single live session.

Example: “Teams review drafts asynchronously, leaving comments before a short call.” [gloss: not all at once]

Synonyms: time-shifted; staggered (contextual).

Common mistakes: Spelling errors (“asyncronous”); using it as a noun (“do an asynchronous”).

Onboarding — BrE /ˈɒnbɔːdɪŋ/ • AmE /ˈɑːnbɔːrdɪŋ/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U).

Patterns: remote onboarding; structured onboarding; onboarding for new hires.

Definition: the process of integrating new employees into an organisation’s tools, culture and workflows.

Example: “Clear checklists make onboarding smoother for graduates working from home.” [gloss: easier start for newcomers]

Synonyms: induction; orientation; initiation (context-dependent).

Common mistakes: Hyphenation (“on-boarding”) is less common in modern business English; avoid verbing awkwardly (“we onboarded him” is informal).

Distraction — BrE /dɪˈstrækʃn/ • AmE /dɪˈstrækʃən/

Part(s) of speech: noun (C/U).

Patterns: reduce/limit distractions; major/minor distractions; distraction from work.

Definition: something that takes attention away from the task.

Example: “Setting quiet hours lowers home distractions during deep work.” [gloss: fewer things steal attention]

Synonyms: interruption; disturbance; diversion.

Common mistakes: Confusing with “attraction”; using the wrong preposition (✓ “distraction from work”).

Commute — BrE/AmE /kəˈmjuːt/ (v); commute /ˈkɒmjuːt/ (n, BrE); /kəˈmjuːt/ (n, AmE)

Part(s) of speech: verb; noun (C/U).

Patterns: commute to work/school; a long/short commute; cut the commute.

Definition: (v) to travel regularly between home and workplace; (n) the regular journey itself.

Example: “Employees who no longer commute can spend that time preparing.” [gloss: travel time becomes useful time]

Synonyms: travel (to work); daily journey.

Common mistakes: Wrong preposition (✓ “commute to the office”); treating the noun as always plural (✓ “a long commute”).

Ergonomics — BrE /ˌɜːɡəˈnɒmɪks/ • AmE /ˌɜːrɡəˈnɑːmɪks/

Part(s) of speech: noun (U, academic field).

Patterns: ergonomics of a workstation; ergonomic chair/keyboard; improve ergonomics.

Definition: the study and practice of designing workplaces and tools for comfort, safety and efficiency.

Example: “Good home-office ergonomics reduce strain during longer screen time.” [gloss: better setup = healthier work]

Synonyms: human-factors design; user-centred design (contextual).

Common mistakes: Subject-verb agreement: ✓ “Ergonomics is essential,” not ✘ “are.”

Utilities

Use the buttons to copy or download the full vocabulary list for practice and review.

🔶 Part 5 — Phrases / Expressions

Key Phrases & Expressions from the Task

Task focus: “Many employees are now working from home instead of travelling to a workplace. Do the advantages of this development outweigh the disadvantages?”
Each item includes BrE & AmE IPA, part(s) of speech, patterns, a clear definition, a contextual example with a gloss, useful synonyms, and common learner mistakes.

on balance — BrE /ɒn ˈbæl.əns/ • AmE /ɑːn ˈbæl.əns/

Part(s) of speech: adverbial phrase.

Patterns: On balance, S + V … ; judge X on balance.

Definition: used to introduce a final judgement after considering both sides.

Example: “On balance, the flexibility of remote work outweighs the loss of informal learning.” [gloss: final decision after weighing]

Synonyms: overall; all things considered; in sum.

Common mistakes: ✘ placing it mid-clause awkwardly; ✓ use at the beginning or end for clarity.

carry more weight (than) — BrE /ˈkæri mɔː weɪt/ • AmE /ˈkæri mɔːr weɪt/

Part(s) of speech: verb phrase.

Patterns: A carries more weight than B; A carries significant weight.

Definition: to be more important or persuasive than something else.

Example: “For many teams, time saved from commuting carries more weight than reduced office mentoring.” [gloss: advantage is stronger]

Synonyms: outweigh; matter more; be decisive.

Common mistakes: Avoid “bring more weight”; ✓ use “carry.”

to a large extent — BrE /tʊ ə lɑːdʒ ɪkˈstent/ • AmE /tuː ə lɑːrdʒ ɪkˈstent/

Part(s) of speech: adverbial phrase (degree).

Patterns: to a large/small extent, clause; results to some extent.

Definition: indicating how true something is, in terms of degree.

Example: “Remote productivity depends, to a large extent, on clear schedules and documentation.” [gloss: mostly true because of conditions]

Synonyms: largely; substantially; mostly.

Common mistakes: ✘ “in a large extent” → ✓ “to a large extent”.

set against (these) gains/risks — BrE /set əˈɡenst/ • AmE /set əˈɡenst/

Part(s) of speech: verb phrase (passive/active framing).

Patterns: Set against these gains are…; We must set X against Y.

Definition: to compare one group of factors with another to judge the balance.

Example: “Set against these gains are the risks of isolation for new starters.” [gloss: compare pros vs cons]

Synonyms: weighed against; compared with.

Common mistakes: Don’t confuse with “set up”; include “against.”

offset (the risks) — BrE /ˌɒfˈset/ • AmE /ˌɔːfˈset/

Part(s) of speech: verb (T).

Patterns: offset X with/by Y; measures that offset risks.

Definition: to reduce the effect of something by introducing a counter-measure.

Example: “Regular check-ins offset the loss of spontaneous office feedback.” [gloss: action reduces the problem]

Synonyms: counter; mitigate; balance out.

Common mistakes: Not a phrasal verb with “off”; stress on second syllable: /-ˈset/.

blur the boundaries (between A and B) — BrE /blɜː ðə ˈbaʊn.dəriz/ • AmE /blɜːr ðə ˈbaʊn.dəriz/

Part(s) of speech: verb phrase.

Patterns: blur the boundaries between work and home; boundaries blur.

Definition: to make the line separating two areas less clear.

Example: “Late emails can blur the boundaries between personal time and work.” [gloss: separation becomes unclear]

Synonyms: erode the line; weaken separation.

Common mistakes: Use plural “boundaries” when referring to two domains.

over-the-shoulder learning — BrE /ˌəʊvə ðə ˈʃəʊldə ˈlɜːnɪŋ/ • AmE /ˌoʊvər ðə ˈʃoʊldər ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/

Part(s) of speech: noun phrase (U).

Patterns: lack of over-the-shoulder learning; rebuild over-the-shoulder learning via shadowing.

Definition: informal, observation-based learning by watching colleagues perform tasks.

Example: “Graduates lose over-the-shoulder learning when everyone is at home.” [gloss: fewer chances to learn by watching]

Synonyms: on-the-job observation; informal shadowing.

Common mistakes: Keep hyphens; do not write “over the shoulder’s learning.”

deep work — BrE /diːp wɜːk/ • AmE /diːp wɝːk/

Part(s) of speech: noun phrase (U).

Patterns: schedule deep work; protect a deep-work block.

Definition: uninterrupted, cognitively demanding work that requires full concentration.

Example: “Remote staff can protect morning hours for deep work and move calls to later.” [gloss: focused time for hard tasks]

Synonyms: focused work; high-concentration tasks.

Common mistakes: Not usually plural (“deeps works” ✘).

net positive — BrE /net ˈpɒzɪtɪv/ • AmE /net ˈpɑːzətɪv/

Part(s) of speech: adjective/noun phrase.

Patterns: be a net positive (for); remain net positive when …

Definition: producing more benefits than costs overall.

Example: “Hybrid schedules are a net positive when companies provide co-working options.” [gloss: benefits > drawbacks]

Synonyms: overall gain; net benefit.

Common mistakes: Avoid “netly positive”; not an adverb form.

tilt the balance (towards/against) — BrE /tɪlt ðə ˈbæl.əns/ • AmE /tɪlt ðə ˈbæl.əns/

Part(s) of speech: verb phrase.

Patterns: X tilts the balance towards A; factors that tilt the balance against B.

Definition: to influence a situation so that one side becomes stronger.

Example: “Clear retention limits and audits tilt the balance towards allowing more flexible work.” [gloss: policy makes advantages stronger]

Synonyms: tip the scales; swing the balance.

Common mistakes: Use “towards/against,” not “to balance.”

Utilities

Use the buttons to copy or download the full phrases list for practice and review.