change one's spots改脾气

用《圣经》大洪水作比，把家宅承诺说成一句带文采的誓言。

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

郑重保证时用，适合承诺或致辞；日常闲聊会显得太夸张。

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

literary

even if 轻读，shall always 放慢，solid 重读。

Even if the work dries up, we shall always keep this place. 就算工作断了，我们也一定会保住这地方。

把人和房子并列，用 I think / I know 拉开确定程度，克制又笃定。

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

刚到一个新地方表态时用，语气客气；别拿去评价要紧的抉择。

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 快而轻，I know 加重，shall like 连读。

I think I shall like the neighbours, and I know I shall like the garden. 我想我会喜欢这些邻居，也知道我会喜欢这花园。

先道歉再点出对方的辛苦，把体谅说在具体的事上，不空泛。

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

对帮过忙的人表达歉意时用，适合家里或职场；别说成客套。

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

中性

so sorry 语调下沉，a lot of 连读带过。

I'm so sorry, you took such a lot of trouble for this. 真抱歉，为这事让你费了这么多心。

先正经评价房子，再补一句 Like you，把夸房子偷换成夸人，短促又温柔。

It's a ... Like you.

对亲近的人打趣式夸奖时用；对上级或不熟的人别用，容易被当成轻薄。

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

中性

solid-looking 连读，Like you 稍顿重读。

That old truck is stubborn and reliable. Like you. 那辆旧卡车又倔又可靠。跟你一样。

借门房之口把主人的雄心下个判断，转述句加一句 at first，余味全在不动声色里。

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

转述别人泼冷水的话来点醒人时用；正式场合别用这种带刺的转述。

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

口语

He said 轻，They all say that 连读，at first 放慢。

The coach just said, "They all run fast in September." 教练只说了一句：'九月里人人都跑得快。'

小小一句反问句把最怕的事托出来，是爱里带怕的确认。

You won't ..., will you?

向亲密的人确认承诺时用；对同事或生人这样说会显得黏人。

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

中性

won't change 连读，will you 升调轻收。

You won't forget us, will you? 你不会忘了我们吧？