a pack of lies一派謊言

把「真話」提到上帝的高度，再用兩個短句重複，越鄭重越像在給自己編故事；真誠和虛構在這句裡合成一體。

I will tell you ... truth. Truth about ...

極鄭重地要坦白時用，文學感強；日常小事上說這句會顯得誇張。

I'll give you the honest truth about myself. ／ Let me tell you the whole truth, no polish.

literary

God's truth 重讀並停頓，about myself 放慢收。

I'll tell you the plain truth about what happened. 我會把發生的事原原本本告訴你。

用最體面的句式交代出身，越平穩越像背稿；一句話就把自我包裝的慾望攤在桌上。

I am the son of ... people from ...

正式場合介紹家世、或半玩笑地模仿這種腔調時用；真在攀比時說不合適。

I come from a well-off family in the Midwest. ／ I'm the son of comfortable people from the middle of the country.

正式

the son of 連讀，very wealthy 略重，Middle West 平穩收。

I am the son of teachers from a small northern town. 我是北方小鎮上一對教師夫婦的兒子。

把舉證的責任推給事實，看似大方，其實是最用力的一次爭取信任；客氣到極點反而洩露了不安。

Of course, you don't need to take my word for it.

想表明自己經得起查證時用，語氣要輕鬆；心虛的人說這句會顯得欲蓋彌彰。

You don't have to take my word for it. ／ Don't just believe me; verify it yourself.

正式

Of course 輕，take my word for it 連讀，old sport 放軟。

Of course, you don't need to take my word for it — ask the manager. 當然，你不必只信我，去問經理就行。

先用拉家常的稱呼墊底，再丟擲「很大的請求」，一句就把整場戲的懸念立起來。

You see, ..., I'm going to make a very big request of you.

要開口求人、先讓對方有準備時用，口語、帶鋪墊；正式公文裡不用。

I've got a big favour to ask of you. ／ I need to ask you something rather large.

口語

You see 輕，very big request 加重，today 收住。

I'm going to make a very big request of you, and I'll understand if you say no. 我要向你提一個很大的請求，你拒絕我也理解。