now then那么好吧

用不差一秒来夸礼物，也暗暗把感情押在时间上，温柔又倔。

has not lost a second since ...

夸礼物、表白心意时能用；正式场合别拿它当走时准确的证明。

It has never been a minute slow. ／ It has kept perfect time since then.

中性

has not lost a second 一气呵成，since 后放轻。

This pen has not failed me once since the day you gave it to me. 这支笔自从你送我那天起，一次都没掉过链子。

侦探开场白的标准句式，先点破听众的疑问，再卖关子。

I expect you're wondering why ...

开会、宣布事情时能用；正式场合别拿它当审讯口吻。

I suppose you are all asking why I called you here. ／ You must be wondering what this is about.

中性

I expect 弱读，wondering why 连读，句尾稍降。

I expect you're wondering why I called this meeting on a Friday. 我猜你们都在纳闷，我为什么周五还开会。

前半句立规矩，后半句直接甩锅，主人的不耐烦全在对比里。

We usually ... You've ...

抱怨别人打乱安排时能用；对长辈或客人别这么直白。

We usually eat at nine, and now everything is late. ／ You have thrown off our whole evening.

口语

usually 轻读，stopped everything 两个重音砸下来。

We usually leave at six. You've stopped everything. 我们一般六点就走，你这一来全打乱了。

前一句把对方的误会纠成「没错」，后一句立刻用 Don't dare 划下禁区。先认领再拒绝，语气干脆，是很好用的「确认加警告」句式。

That is exactly what I mean. Don't dare ...

先确认对方听懂了、紧接着下禁令时用，语气强硬；对长辈或上级用 Don't dare 会显得冒犯。

That is precisely my point. Don't you dare do it again. ／ Exactly right, and don't ever repeat it.

口语

exactly what 连读，Don't dare 两词都重读。

Yes, that is exactly what I mean. Don't dare touch my desk again. 对，我就是这个意思。别再碰我的桌子。