Unit 9 - Gold Experience B2

consider

Meaning: to think carefully about something before making a decision

Example 1: We're considering moving the meeting to Friday.

Example 2: You should consider all the options before deciding.

Pattern / Usage: verb; consider + noun/-ing; NOT normally consider to + verb

Spanish: considerar

consideration

Meaning: careful thought about something, or a fact that should influence a decision

Example 1: The proposal is still under consideration.

Example 2: Cost is an important consideration when choosing a supplier.

Pattern / Usage: noun; take sth into consideration / under consideration

Spanish: consideración

consult

Meaning: to ask someone for expert advice or information

Example 1: You should consult a doctor if the pain continues.

Example 2: We consulted several experts before making the decision.

Pattern / Usage: verb; consult + person; consult with is also possible

Spanish: consultar

consultation

Meaning: a meeting or process in which advice or opinions are asked for

Example 1: The changes were introduced after a public consultation.

Example 2: I booked a consultation with a financial adviser.

Pattern / Usage: noun; consultation with + person / on + topic

Spanish: consulta

evaluate

Meaning: to judge the quality, value, or effectiveness of something

Example 1: We need to evaluate the risks before investing.

Example 2: The teacher evaluated our presentations.

Pattern / Usage: verb; evaluate + object

Spanish: evaluar

evaluation

Meaning: the process of judging the quality, value, or effectiveness of something

Example 1: The project is currently under evaluation.

Example 2: We completed an evaluation of the new system.

Pattern / Usage: noun; evaluation of + noun

Spanish: evaluación

intend

Meaning: to plan or mean to do something

Example 1: I intend to finish the report today.

Example 2: We never intended the comment to sound rude.

Pattern / Usage: verb; intend to + verb / intend + object + to + verb

Spanish: tener la intención de

intention

Meaning: a plan or purpose that you have in mind

Example 1: My intention is to stay for at least a year.

Example 2: He had no intention of changing his mind.

Pattern / Usage: noun; intention to + verb / intention of + -ing

Spanish: intención

judge

Meaning: to form an opinion about someone or something, especially after considering information

Example 1: Don't judge a person before you know the full story.

Example 2: The competition is judged by a panel of experts.

Pattern / Usage: verb/noun; judge + object / judge by + criterion

Spanish: juzgar

judgement

Meaning: an opinion or decision based on careful thought, or the ability to make good decisions

Example 1: Use your own judgement in situations like this.

Example 2: It was an error of judgement, not a deliberate mistake.

Pattern / Usage: noun; British spelling; make/use judgement

Spanish: juicio; criterio

propose

Meaning: to suggest a plan or idea for people to consider

Example 1: She proposed a new way to organise the team.

Example 2: I propose that we wait until we have more information.

Pattern / Usage: verb; propose + noun/-ing / propose that + clause

Spanish: proponer

proposal

Meaning: a formal suggestion or plan

Example 1: The board approved the proposal.

Example 2: We submitted a proposal for a new investment project.

Pattern / Usage: noun; proposal for + noun / proposal to + verb

Spanish: propuesta

proposition

Meaning: an idea, suggestion, or offer that is put forward for consideration

Example 1: The business proposition sounds attractive.

Example 2: They made us an interesting proposition.

Pattern / Usage: countable noun; proposition can be more formal than proposal

Spanish: proposición; propuesta

select

Meaning: to choose someone or something from a group

Example 1: We selected three candidates for a second interview.

Example 2: You can select the language from the menu.

Pattern / Usage: verb; select + object / select from + group

Spanish: seleccionar

selection

Meaning: the act of choosing, or a range of things available to choose from

Example 1: The selection process takes two weeks.

Example 2: The shop has a good selection of healthy snacks.

Pattern / Usage: noun; selection of + plural noun

Spanish: selección

be at the centre of (sth)

Meaning: to be the main focus or an important part of something

Example 1: Technology is at the centre of the company's strategy.

Example 2: She was at the centre of the debate.

Pattern / Usage: fixed phrase: be at the centre of + noun

Spanish: estar en el centro de algo

be torn between two choices

Meaning: to find it very difficult to choose between two options

Example 1: I'm torn between staying here and moving abroad.

Example 2: She was torn between two job offers.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: be torn between + A and B

Spanish: estar indeciso/a entre dos opciones

carry weight

Meaning: to have influence or importance

Example 1: Her opinion carries a lot of weight in the company.

Example 2: The recommendation will carry more weight if it comes from an expert.

Pattern / Usage: idiom; carry a lot/more/little weight

Spanish: tener peso/importancia

have a Plan A and a Plan B

Meaning: to have a main plan and a backup plan in case the first one fails

Example 1: For important projects, I like to have a Plan A and a Plan B.

Example 2: We had a Plan B in case the weather changed.

Pattern / Usage: fixed phrase

Spanish: tener un Plan A y un Plan B

have second thoughts

Meaning: to start doubting a decision you have already made or were about to make

Example 1: I'm having second thoughts about buying the car.

Example 2: She had second thoughts and decided not to resign.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: have second thoughts about + noun/-ing

Spanish: tener dudas; reconsiderar

sleep on it

Meaning: to wait until the next day before making an important decision

Example 1: I don't need an answer now—sleep on it.

Example 2: Let me sleep on it and I'll tell you tomorrow.

Pattern / Usage: idiom; informal

Spanish: consultarlo con la almohada

speak out about (sth)

Meaning: to express your opinion publicly, especially about something wrong or important

Example 1: Several employees spoke out about unsafe conditions.

Example 2: She decided to speak out about the issue.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb: speak out about/against + noun

Spanish: hablar públicamente sobre algo

weigh up the pros and cons

Meaning: to carefully compare the advantages and disadvantages before deciding

Example 1: We need to weigh up the pros and cons before we invest.

Example 2: She weighed up the pros and cons of changing jobs.

Pattern / Usage: fixed collocation: weigh up the pros and cons of + noun/-ing

Spanish: sopesar los pros y los contras

according to research

Meaning: as shown or stated by research findings

Example 1: According to research, sleep has a major effect on memory.

Example 2: According to recent research, customers value speed and simplicity.

Pattern / Usage: collocation; according to + source

Spanish: según las investigaciones

base a decision on (sth)

Meaning: to use particular information or reasons as the foundation for a decision

Example 1: Don't base a decision on one bad month.

Example 2: We based the decision on the latest financial data.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: base + decision + on + noun

Spanish: basar una decisión en algo

be obsessed with style and image

Meaning: to think about appearance and fashion much more than is healthy or reasonable

Example 1: Some teenagers feel pressure to be obsessed with style and image.

Example 2: He isn't obsessed with style and image; he just likes dressing well.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: be obsessed with + noun/-ing

Spanish: estar obsesionado/a con el estilo y la imagen

carry out research

Meaning: to perform or conduct research

Example 1: The team carried out research before launching the product.

Example 2: Universities carry out research on a wide range of topics.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: carry out/conduct research; research is usually uncountable

Spanish: realizar una investigación

challenge a decision

Meaning: to question or formally oppose a decision

Example 1: The company decided to challenge the regulator's decision.

Example 2: Employees can challenge a decision if they believe it is unfair.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: challenge a decision

Spanish: cuestionar una decisión

change your mind

Meaning: to decide to have a different opinion or choice

Example 1: I was going to stay home, but I changed my mind.

Example 2: She changed her mind about accepting the offer.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: change your mind about + noun/-ing

Spanish: cambiar de opinión

come to a decision

Meaning: to finally make a decision after considering the options

Example 1: We need to come to a decision by Friday.

Example 2: After a long discussion, they came to a decision.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: come to/reach a decision

Spanish: llegar a una decisión

encourage (sb) to speak their mind

Meaning: to make someone feel comfortable saying what they truly think

Example 1: Good managers encourage employees to speak their mind.

Example 2: The teacher encouraged us to speak our minds during the debate.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: encourage + person + to + verb; speak your mind

Spanish: animar a alguien a decir lo que piensa

experiment with new looks

Meaning: to try different styles of clothing, hair, or appearance

Example 1: Teenagers often experiment with new looks.

Example 2: She enjoys experimenting with new looks when she travels.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: experiment with + noun

Spanish: probar/experimentar con nuevos estilos

feel under pressure to wear (sth)

Meaning: to feel that other people or society are pushing you to wear something

Example 1: Some students feel under pressure to wear expensive brands.

Example 2: I never want to feel under pressure to wear something I don't like.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: feel under pressure to + verb

Spanish: sentirse presionado/a a usar algo

follow the crowd

Meaning: to do what most other people are doing instead of deciding for yourself

Example 1: Don't follow the crowd if you don't like the trend.

Example 2: He tends to follow the crowd when choosing clothes.

Pattern / Usage: idiom

Spanish: seguir a la mayoría

have a crazy dress sense

Meaning: to have a very unusual or adventurous style of clothing

Example 1: She has a crazy dress sense and loves bright colours.

Example 2: My friend has a crazy dress sense, but somehow it works.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: have a … dress sense

Spanish: tener un estilo de vestir muy extravagante

have an issue with (sth)

Meaning: to have a problem with or objection to something

Example 1: I have an issue with the way the data was collected.

Example 2: Do you have an issue with working late this week?

Pattern / Usage: informal collocation: have an issue with + noun/-ing

Spanish: tener un problema con algo

involve (sb) in a decision

Meaning: to include someone in the process of making a decision

Example 1: Managers should involve employees in decisions that affect them.

Example 2: We involved the whole team in the decision.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: involve + person + in + noun/-ing

Spanish: involucrar a alguien en una decisión

know your own mind

Meaning: to have clear and firm opinions about what you want

Example 1: She knows her own mind and isn't easily influenced.

Example 2: At twenty-three, he already knows his own mind.

Pattern / Usage: idiom

Spanish: tener claro lo que querés

look really cool

Meaning: to appear fashionable, attractive, or impressive

Example 1: That jacket looks really cool on you.

Example 2: The new bike looks really cool, but it's expensive.

Pattern / Usage: informal collocation; look + adjective

Spanish: verse muy canchero/a

make a decision

Meaning: to choose what you are going to do

Example 1: I need to make a decision before Friday.

Example 2: Don't make an important decision when you're angry.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: make a decision; NOT 'do a decision'

Spanish: tomar una decisión

make up your mind

Meaning: to make a decision after thinking about the options

Example 1: I can't make up my mind about which laptop to buy.

Example 2: You need to make up your mind before Friday.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: make up your mind about + noun / whether + clause

Spanish: decidirte

pick up bargains

Meaning: to find and buy things at very good prices

Example 1: You can pick up bargains at the market if you go early.

Example 2: She picked up a few bargains in the sale.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal collocation: pick up + bargain(s)

Spanish: conseguir gangas/ofertas

put an outfit together

Meaning: to choose and combine clothes to create a complete look

Example 1: She can put an outfit together in five minutes.

Example 2: I used the app to help me put an outfit together.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: put + outfit/look + together

Spanish: armar un conjunto/look

research reveals (sth)

Meaning: research shows or makes a fact known

Example 1: Research reveals that people often underestimate how much they spend.

Example 2: New research reveals a link between sleep and decision-making.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: research reveals/shows that + clause

Spanish: la investigación revela algo

stand out in a crowd

Meaning: to be very noticeable or different from other people

Example 1: Her bright red coat made her stand out in the crowd.

Example 2: A strong personal style can help you stand out in a crowd.

Pattern / Usage: idiom; stand out from + group is also common

Spanish: destacarse entre la gente

throw on clothes

Meaning: to put clothes on quickly without much thought

Example 1: I threw on some clothes and ran to the door.

Example 2: He usually throws on jeans and a T-shirt.

Pattern / Usage: phrasal verb: throw on + clothes

Spanish: ponerse ropa rápidamente

wear a particular brand or label

Meaning: to choose clothing made by a specific company or designer

Example 1: Some teenagers feel pressure to wear a particular brand or label.

Example 2: I don't care whether someone wears a particular brand or label.

Pattern / Usage: collocation: wear + brand/label

Spanish: usar una marca determinada

ambitious

Meaning: having a strong desire to succeed or achieve difficult things

Example 1: She's ambitious and wants to lead the company one day.

Example 2: It's an ambitious target, but not impossible.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; ambition → ambitious; ambitious about/for

Spanish: ambicioso/a

confident

Meaning: feeling sure about your abilities or about what will happen

Example 1: I feel more confident speaking English now.

Example 2: She's confident that the team will meet the target.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; confident about/in + noun / confident that + clause

Spanish: seguro/a de sí mismo/a

confidential

Meaning: private and intended to be kept secret

Example 1: The information is strictly confidential.

Example 2: Please treat the document as confidential.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; confidence/confidential are different word families

Spanish: confidencial

conventional

Meaning: following traditional or generally accepted ways of doing things

Example 1: He prefers a conventional office job.

Example 2: The design is attractive but fairly conventional.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; convention → conventional

Spanish: convencional

experimental

Meaning: new and being tried in order to test an idea or method

Example 1: The treatment is still experimental.

Example 2: The company launched an experimental pilot programme.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; experiment → experimental

Spanish: experimental

faulty

Meaning: not working correctly or containing a defect

Example 1: The machine stopped because of a faulty sensor.

Example 2: We returned the product because it was faulty.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; fault → faulty

Spanish: defectuoso/a

foolish

Meaning: not showing good judgement or sense

Example 1: It was foolish to spend all my savings at once.

Example 2: Don't make a foolish decision because you're angry.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; fool → foolish

Spanish: tonto/a; imprudente

independent

Meaning: not controlled by or dependent on other people or organisations

Example 1: She became financially independent at a young age.

Example 2: The report was prepared by an independent adviser.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; independence → independent; independent of + noun

Spanish: independiente

influential

Meaning: having the power to affect opinions, decisions, or events

Example 1: She is an influential figure in the industry.

Example 2: Social media can be highly influential in purchasing decisions.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; influence → influential

Spanish: influyente

intelligent

Meaning: able to learn, understand, and think well

Example 1: He's intelligent but also very practical.

Example 2: The system uses intelligent software to detect patterns.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; intelligence → intelligent

Spanish: inteligente

judgemental

Meaning: too quick to criticise people or form negative opinions about them

Example 1: Try not to be judgemental about other people's choices.

Example 2: He sounded judgemental when he talked about younger employees.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; judgement → judgemental

Spanish: crítico/a; que juzga demasiado

obsessed

Meaning: unable to stop thinking about something

Example 1: He's obsessed with football statistics.

Example 2: She became obsessed with checking the app.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; obsessed with + noun/-ing

Spanish: obsesionado/a

obsessive

Meaning: showing an unhealthy or excessive focus on something

Example 1: His obsessive attention to detail slows the team down.

Example 2: The behaviour became increasingly obsessive.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; obsession → obsessive

Spanish: obsesivo/a

patient

Meaning: able to wait or deal with problems without becoming annoyed

Example 1: You need to be patient when learning a language.

Example 2: She was very patient with the new employee.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; patient with + person / patient about + process

Spanish: paciente

stylish

Meaning: fashionable and attractive in appearance or design

Example 1: She always looks stylish without trying too hard.

Example 2: The hotel is modern and stylish.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; style → stylish

Spanish: con estilo

suspicious

Meaning: feeling that something is wrong or someone may be dishonest

Example 1: I became suspicious when they asked for my password.

Example 2: The police were suspicious of his explanation.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; suspicious of + person/thing / suspicious that + clause

Spanish: sospechoso/a; desconfiado/a

trendy

Meaning: very fashionable or popular at the moment

Example 1: They opened a trendy café in the city centre.

Example 2: The area has become trendy in the last few years.

Pattern / Usage: informal adjective

Spanish: de moda

adrenalin

Meaning: a hormone produced by the body in exciting or dangerous situations, causing more energy and alertness

Example 1: I felt a rush of adrenalin before the race.

Example 2: Extreme sports give some people an adrenalin boost.

Pattern / Usage: noun; British spelling 'adrenalin', also 'adrenaline'

Spanish: adrenalina

addictive

Meaning: making you want to keep doing or using something repeatedly

Example 1: This game is surprisingly addictive.

Example 2: Short videos can be highly addictive.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; addictive + noun / addicted to describes the person

Spanish: adictivo/a

beware

Meaning: used to warn someone to be careful about a danger

Example 1: Beware of fake websites asking for personal information.

Example 2: Tourists are warned to beware of pickpockets.

Pattern / Usage: verb used mainly in warnings; beware of + noun

Spanish: cuidado; tener cuidado con

busy

Meaning: having a lot to do or full of people and activity

Example 1: I'm busy with work this week.

Example 2: The city centre is very busy on Saturdays.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; busy with + noun / busy doing + -ing

Spanish: ocupado/a

casual

Meaning: relaxed and informal, especially in clothes or style

Example 1: The office has a casual dress code on Fridays.

Example 2: He wore casual clothes to the event.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; casual clothes/style

Spanish: informal; casual

community

Meaning: a group of people living in the same area or sharing a common interest

Example 1: The project has strong support from the local community.

Example 2: There's a large online community for language learners.

Pattern / Usage: countable noun; community of + people

Spanish: comunidad

convince

Meaning: to make someone believe that something is true or agree to do something

Example 1: She convinced me that the plan could work.

Example 2: We couldn't convince him to change his mind.

Pattern / Usage: pattern: convince + person + that + clause / convince sb to + verb

Spanish: convencer

formal

Meaning: official, serious, or following established rules; not casual

Example 1: The interview is quite formal, so dress appropriately.

Example 2: Use a formal tone in the email.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; opposite: informal

Spanish: formal

filter

Meaning: to remove unwanted parts, or to limit what you see according to criteria

Example 1: You can filter the results by date.

Example 2: The system filters out duplicate entries.

Pattern / Usage: verb/noun; filter by + criterion / filter out + unwanted items

Spanish: filtrar; filtro

founder

Meaning: a person who starts an organisation, company, or institution

Example 1: The founder still owns most of the company.

Example 2: She is the founder of a technology startup.

Pattern / Usage: countable noun; founder of + organisation

Spanish: fundador/a

get crammed

Meaning: to become extremely full of people or things

Example 1: The buses get crammed during rush hour.

Example 2: The shop gets crammed with customers before Christmas.

Pattern / Usage: informal pattern: get crammed with + people/things; more natural common phrase: get packed

Spanish: llenarse/abarrotarse

hidden

Meaning: not easy to see, find, or know about

Example 1: The hotel has a hidden garden behind the building.

Example 2: There may be hidden costs in the contract.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; hide → hidden

Spanish: oculto/a

homesick

Meaning: sad because you are away from home and miss it

Example 1: I felt homesick during my first month abroad.

Example 2: She gets homesick when she's away for a long time.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; homesick for + place/person

Spanish: con nostalgia de casa

moody

Meaning: often changing from happy to annoyed or sad without a clear reason

Example 1: He can be moody when he's tired.

Example 2: Teenagers are sometimes described as moody, but that's a generalisation.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; mood → moody

Spanish: de humor cambiante

neat

Meaning: tidy, clean, and well organised; also simple and effective

Example 1: His handwriting is very neat.

Example 2: That's a neat solution to the problem.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; neat and tidy

Spanish: prolijo/a; ordenado/a

patterned

Meaning: decorated with a repeated design

Example 1: She wore a patterned shirt.

Example 2: The room has bright patterned curtains.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; pattern → patterned

Spanish: estampado/a

plain

Meaning: simple and without decoration or pattern

Example 1: He wore a plain white T-shirt.

Example 2: I prefer plain colours for work clothes.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; plain + colour/clothes

Spanish: liso/a; sencillo/a

poised

Meaning: calm, confident, and in control of your behaviour

Example 1: She looked calm and poised during the interview.

Example 2: The speaker remained poised despite the difficult questions.

Pattern / Usage: adjective

Spanish: sereno/a; seguro/a de sí

quiet

Meaning: making little noise, or calm and not busy

Example 1: I need a quiet place to work.

Example 2: The town is usually quiet in winter.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; quiet ≠ quite

Spanish: tranquilo/a; silencioso/a

scruffy

Meaning: untidy or dirty in appearance

Example 1: He looked a bit scruffy after the long journey.

Example 2: The café is scruffy but has great food.

Pattern / Usage: informal adjective

Spanish: desprolijo/a

short-sighted

Meaning: unable to see distant things clearly, or not considering long-term consequences

Example 1: I'm short-sighted, so I wear glasses.

Example 2: Cutting training may be a short-sighted decision.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; literal and figurative meanings

Spanish: miope; corto de miras

skip

Meaning: to not do, use, or attend something that is normally expected

Example 1: I skipped breakfast because I was late.

Example 2: Don't skip the review section—it helps you remember the vocabulary.

Pattern / Usage: verb; skip + noun

Spanish: saltearse; omitir

smart

Meaning: neat and stylish in appearance, or intelligent

Example 1: You need to wear smart clothes to the dinner.

Example 2: That's a smart way to solve the problem.

Pattern / Usage: adjective; British 'smart clothes' = neat/formal

Spanish: elegante; bien vestido/a

split second

Meaning: an extremely short moment of time

Example 1: I had to make the decision in a split second.

Example 2: For a split second, I thought we had won.

Pattern / Usage: noun phrase: in/for a split second

Spanish: fracción de segundo

struggle

Meaning: to have difficulty doing something or to make a great effort

Example 1: I sometimes struggle to understand fast speech.

Example 2: Small firms are struggling with higher costs.

Pattern / Usage: verb/noun; struggle to + verb / struggle with + noun

Spanish: lucha;