the next best thing to僅次於…的選擇

把最難開口的告別說得像一句為你好，越平靜越傷人。

it's best you don't do something

對親近的人說不中聽的話時用，先墊一句為你好；陌生人或正式場合別用這種口吻。

it's better if you don't come ／ we'd rather you didn't come

中性

best you 連讀，句尾 anymore 放輕。

It's best you don't drive tonight. 你今晚最好別開車。

用 have to have known 反扣一句：你早知道，卻還來。

you have to have known that ...

當對方其實心裡有數卻裝作不知時用；對長輩或正式場合這樣說會顯得像指責。

you must have known that this wouldn't last ／ you knew all along this couldn't last

中性

have to have 輕快連讀，known 後稍停。

You have to have known that the plan was risky. 你肯定早就知道這個方案有風險。

把一家小館子抬到迪士尼的高度，誇張裡全是父親的溫柔。

the next best thing to something

想誇一個替代選擇時用；對不熟的人別誇張過頭，會顯得敷衍。

the next best thing to a holiday ／ as good as it gets around here

口語

next best 連讀，Disneyland 重讀拖長。

A quiet evening is the next best thing to a holiday. 一個安靜的晚上也算僅次於度假了。

用討價還價的方式求父母，越是退讓越顯得捨不得放手，聽得人心口發緊。

I'll do it once a year. I'll do it at ...

跟人商量探視、見面安排時用；這句適合親近的人之間，正式合同裡當然不行。

I'll visit once a year, at Christmas. ／ I'll only come once a year then.

中性

I'll 輕讀，once a year 與 at Christmas 各成一個節奏。

I'll drop by once a year. I'll come for the holidays. 我一年來一趟，節假日來。