cast your mind back回想

把「必须说真话」说得庄重，most important 一压，压力全落在证人身上。

It is most important that you ...

郑重强调某件事的重要性时用；语气正式，适合公告或训诫。

It is most important that you stay calm. ／ What matters most is that you are honest.

正式

most important 重读，absolute 重音在前。

It is most important that you keep this secret. 最重要的是你要守住这个秘密。

用 brought up 把「说真话」说成家教的底线，一句话立住证人的性格。

I was brought up to do something

说明自己从小养成的习惯或原则时用；较正式，带自豪感。

I was brought up to respect teachers. ／ I was raised to work hard.

中性

brought up 连读，truth 重读。

I was brought up to say thank you. 我从小被教要说谢谢。

may have been 与 partly 层层留白，把自责说得犹疑又真实。

It may have partly been my fault.

承认自己有部分责任、又不想夸大时用；语气诚恳。

It might have been partly my fault. ／ I may have played a small part.

中性

may have 弱读，partly 重读。

It may have partly been my fault too. 这里面也许也有我一份错。

一句看似无关的提问，却是整桩误会的起点，平静里藏着转折。

I asked someone if he did something

陈述自己问过什么时用；庭上、正式说明都常见。

I asked her if she was sure. ／ He asked me where I lived.

中性

loved his 连读，married her 连读。

I asked him if he had time to help. 我问他有没有时间帮忙。

把私人念头轻声摆上台面，一句就把误会的来路交代清楚。

I was thinking of (something)

解释自己当时的心理活动时用；语气坦白，适合回忆和作证。

I was thinking about my own plans. ／ I had my own worries in mind.

中性

thinking of 连读，marriage 重音在前。

I was thinking of my own deadline, not yours. 我当时想的是自己的截止日期，不是你的。