change one's spots改脾氣

用《聖經》大洪水作比，把家宅承諾說成一句帶文采的誓言。

even if ..., this ... shall always ...

鄭重保證時用，適合承諾或致辭；日常閒聊會顯得太誇張。

Even if everything else falls, this stays standing. ／ Come what may, this house stands.

literary

even if 輕讀，shall always 放慢，solid 重讀。

Even if the work dries up, we shall always keep this place. 就算工作斷了，我們也一定會保住這地方。

把人和房子並列，用 I think / I know 拉開確定程度，剋制又篤定。

I think I shall ..., and I know I shall ...

剛到一個新地方表態時用，語氣客氣；別拿去評價要緊的抉擇。

I think I'll like it here, and I know I'll like the people. ／ I believe I shall settle in, and I know I shall stay.

中性

I think 快而輕，I know 加重，shall like 連讀。

I think I shall like the neighbours, and I know I shall like the garden. 我想我會喜歡這些鄰居，也知道我會喜歡這花園。

先道歉再點出對方的辛苦，把體諒說在具體的事上，不空泛。

I'm so sorry. You took such a lot of trouble.

對幫過忙的人表達歉意時用，適合家裡或職場；別說成客套。

I'm sorry you went to so much trouble. ／ You really put yourself out for us.

中性

so sorry 語調下沉，a lot of 連讀帶過。

I'm so sorry, you took such a lot of trouble for this. 真抱歉，為這事讓你費了這麼多心。

先正經評價房子，再補一句 Like you，把誇房子偷換成夸人，短促又溫柔。

It's a ... Like you.

對親近的人打趣式誇獎時用；對上級或不熟的人別用，容易被當成輕薄。

A strong old place. Reminds me of you. ／ Sturdy and full of character, just like you.

中性

solid-looking 連讀，Like you 稍頓重讀。

That old truck is stubborn and reliable. Like you. 那輛舊卡車又倔又可靠。跟你一樣。

借門房之口把主人的雄心下個判斷，轉述句加一句 at first，餘味全在不動聲色裡。

He said, "They all say that at first."

轉述別人潑冷水的話來點醒人時用；正式場合別用這種帶刺的轉述。

The porter just smiled and said everybody starts out saying that. ／ His answer was that it never lasts.

口語

He said 輕，They all say that 連讀，at first 放慢。

The coach just said, "They all run fast in September." 教練只說了一句：'九月里人人都跑得快。'

小小一句反問句把最怕的事托出來，是愛裡帶怕的確認。

You won't ..., will you?

向親密的人確認承諾時用；對同事或生人這樣說會顯得黏人。

Promise me you won't change. ／ You'll stay the same, won't you?

中性

won't change 連讀，will you 升調輕收。

You won't forget us, will you? 你不會忘了我們吧？