feet on the ground腳踏實地

兩個 whose 並排，把現實與浪漫的分工一句說透。

I am the one whose ..., whose ...

自嘲或強調自己是務實的一方時用；對上司擺這句會顯得頂撞。

I'm the one who keeps this household running. ／ Somebody has to keep an eye on the bills.

中性

兩個 whose 要平行，checkbook 上重音，句尾壓低。

I am the one whose feet are on the ground when plans get wild. 計劃一離譜，我才是那個腳踏實地的人。

一句虛擬語氣就把當年的舊賬翻出來，譏諷得乾淨利落。

As if ... were still ...

譏諷對方還停留在老一套時用；對不熟的人說會顯得刻薄。

As if the class were still going on. ／ You talk like the lecture never ended.

口語

as if 輕帶，stupid 重讀，were 用弱讀，語調下壓。

As if that meeting were still in session, he keeps quoting the old rules. 好像那場會還沒散似的，他張口就是老一套。

先下命令再補身份，短句裡全是當家做主的底氣。

Do it. That's the ... I'm making.

當眾拍板、替對方定主意時用；商量場合別用這種語氣。

Work with him. That's my call. ／ Team up with him. I've made up my mind.

中性

Collaborate with 連讀，Sidney 單獨點出，語氣不容反駁。

Take the lead. That's the suggestion I'm making, and I mean it. 你來牽頭。這就是我的建議，我是認真的。

把「第一讀者」當成身份來守，客氣話底下全是佔有慾和防備。

This is X's first ..., and I am its first ...

委婉宣示自己對某物有優先權時用；對同事別這麼說會顯得小心眼。

It is his first play and I am the first to read it. ／ I was the one who read it before anyone else.

中性

Darling 輕起，first play 與 first reader 兩處 first 重讀，形成對照。

This is her first album and I am its first listener. 這是她的第一張專輯，我是第一個聽的人。

用學生時代的怕，比喻眼前的審問，把緊張說成了自嘲的笑話。

I've been summoned to the principal's office.

形容被叫去挨訓、氣氛緊張時能用；對領導別真拿這話打趣。

It feels like I have been called to the headmaster's office. ／ I have been sent to the principal's office.

口語

I've been 連讀，summoned 重讀，principal's office 一氣呵成，語氣裝無辜。

I've been summoned to the principal's office, metaphorically speaking. 我這等於被叫到校長辦公室訓話，只是個比方。