put a different complexion on讓事情換個樣子

客套的外殼裡藏著一枚炸彈，一句話把案子的走向整個翻了過來。

A circumstance has come to my attention ...

向上司或長輩報告發現時用；正式場合才合適，對朋友說會顯得拿腔拿調。

Something has come to my attention. ／ A fact has surfaced that changes things.

正式

come to my attention 連讀，case 放慢加重收尾。

A detail has come to my attention that changes our plans. 我注意到一個細節，它會改變我們的計劃。

日期一擺出來，前面的辯解全塌了；短短一句比長篇推理更有力。

But ..., was written on the day of ...

指出時間點對不上時用；對同事或對手都行，正式談判裡尤其常見。

But it was written the very day he died. ／ And it dates from the day of his death.

中性

was written 輕連，the day of 一頓，句尾下沉。

But the receipt was written on the day the shop was closed. 可這張收據是商店關門那天開的。

不辯解也不舉證，只把信任押在一句擔保上，是老派下屬的體面話。

I have every confidence in ...

為某人或某訊息來源擔保時用；正式、有分寸，別用在隨便的閒聊裡。

I have complete faith in him. ／ I trust my source completely.

正式

every confidence 重讀，informant 尾音輕收。

I have every confidence in the new team. 我對這支新團隊完全有信心。

先用一句冷話壓住下屬的擔保，再給出斷言，是律師慣用的分層否定。

That's more than I have. ... it's inconceivable that ...

當面不信對方說法時用；語氣很硬，對長輩或客戶要慎用。

I can't say the same. ／ I find that impossible to believe.

中性

more than I have 壓低聲，inconceivable 分音節重讀。

It's inconceivable that she would forget the meeting. 她不可能忘記這場會議。

不下結論、不承諾，一句話把對方擋在門外，是體面人的軟釘子。

I'll give the matter my consideration.

被追著要答覆又想拖延時用；對下屬或熟人逞客氣，上級對下級也常這麼打發。

I'll think it over. ／ I'll take it under advisement.

正式

give the 輕連，consideration 穩重收句。

I'll give the proposal my consideration and reply next week. 這個提議我會考慮，下週回覆。

一句鬆口的話，既沒答應買信，又給下回留了門。

It might be well to ...

委婉建議下一步時用；商務或職場裡得體，朋友間說會顯生分。

It might be wise to stay in touch. ／ We should keep the line open.

正式

might be well 連讀，keep in touch 三個詞一頓一收。

It might be well to keep in touch with the supplier. 最好還是和供應商保持聯絡。