What's done is done木已成舟

一句就把自欺说透：理智和欲望各站一边，谁都知道结局。

I didn't ... but I wanted to ...

回忆自己明知有诈还去做的决定时用；正式场合这样说显得不够负责。

My gut said no, but I wanted it to be yes. ／ I knew better and did it anyway.

中性

didn't trust 连读，but I wanted 稍停，believe him 收软。

I didn't trust that deal but I wanted to believe the numbers. 那笔生意我信不过，可我又想信那些数字。

把后悔压进一个时间点：感觉来的那一刻，选择就已经错了。

As soon as I felt it, I should've ...

事后反省自己错过脱身时机时用；对别人这样说像在推责任。

I should've walked the second it felt off. ／ I knew right then and still stayed.

口语

As soon as 连成一串，should've walked 弱读，句尾加重。

As soon as I felt it, I should've said no. 我当时一有感觉，就该直接拒绝。

先一句断掉纠结，再一句给要求，像老手在收拾烂摊子。

What's done is done.

已经无法挽回、要人往前看时用；对正自责的人说会显得不近人情。

It's over, and we move on. ／ No use crying over it now.

中性

What's done 连读，is done 重复节奏，cool 落重音。

What's done is done, so let's fix what we can. 事已至此，咱们能补救多少算多少。

把原则和食言放在同一句，落差就是整段懊悔的核心。

I always said if ..., I'd ... and I didn't.

事后检讨自己没按原则行事时用；对同事说像发牢骚，正式检讨别这么说。

I always said I'd walk, and then I didn't. ／ My own rule, and I broke it.

口语

if I felt that way 连读，fuckin' walk 重读，and I didn't 收住下坠。

I always said I'd quit at six and I didn't. 我总说六点就下班，结果我没走。

could've been / could be 两个推测递进，把「越想越怕」铺满一整句。

There could've been ..., they could be ... right now.

提醒同伴局势可能比看上去更危险时用；对上级报告别用猜测口气，要给事实。

They could've been waiting, and they could be on the way. ／ Cops might be here already, and more might be coming.

中性

could've been 连读弱读，right now 双双重读收尾。

There could've been a leak, and it could be happening right now. 可能早就走漏了风声，而且现在说不定还在漏。