be up to在搞什麼名堂

用一個反問把一生說清：既然一直沒分開，此刻更沒有理由走。

I've always done X. So why should I do Y now?

表立場時用：先說一直如此，再反問憑什麼現在改，語氣平靜。

I've always stood by him, so I won't leave now. ／ We have always been together. Why stop now?

中性

always 和 now 對照重讀，反問句尾音輕輕揚起。

I've always worked with this team. So why should I leave it now? 我一直和這個團隊共事，現在為什麼要離開？

不說愛，只說年頭；一句家常陳述比誓言更重。

We have been doing X for many years

講長久關係時用：用年限說明分量，語氣平實不煽情。

We've been together for many years. ／ We have shared a life for decades.

中性

have been 弱讀帶過，重音落在 living 和 years 上。

We have been working together for many years, through every crisis. 我們一起共事這麼多年，經歷過每一次危機。

用一句否定守住體面：不是不想活，是不肯占人先。

I will not do X before Y

宣告順序和原則時用：輪到別人之前，自己不搶先。

I won't go before they do. ／ I am not going ahead of the others.

正式

not 重讀，before 與 the 連讀，整句語氣平直。

I won't take a seat before the older passengers do. 年長的乘客還沒坐下，我不會先坐。

把秩序喊成一句不容商量的命令，喧亂裡最響的往往是規矩本身。

No X are allowed until all the Y have gone!

在現場維持秩序、強行執行規則時用，喊出來有效；平時對朋友這樣吼會傷感情，別用。

Nobody boards until the women are away! ／ Not one man until they are all clear!

中性

No men 重讀起句，until all the women 連讀，句尾上揚有力。

No one moves until all the children have gone! 所有孩子走完之前，誰都不許動！