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一句文化对照：同样的伤，有人藏起来，有人偏要亮出来。

X would do A to show that B.

对朋友半开玩笑地比较两种习惯时用，正式道歉场合别用。

A Frenchman would keep the scar hidden. ／ Most men would grow the moustache instead.

中性

would 轻读，重音落在 shave 和 scar 上。

My neighbour would wash his car every Sunday to show that he cares. 我邻居每周日都洗车，就想让人知道他在乎。

把冒失说成本分，一半自嘲一半护短，立场很稳。

My dear X, [group] cause [thing].

替某类人开脱、又想留点幽默时用，正式声明里不要说。

Soldiers will be soldiers. ／ It's what soldiers do.

中性

soldiers 重读，cause 与 military 连成一串。

My dear Anna, engineers cause little chaos. 亲爱的安娜，工程师嘛，总得制造点小混乱。

把胡子写成先头部队，画面感全靠一个 preceded by。

I saw X, preceded by Y.

夸张地形容某人的派头或阵仗时用，写正经报告别用。

he walked in, followed by his ego ／ she arrived, trailed by cameras

literary

preceded by 连读，重音落在 moustaches。

The CEO entered, preceded by three assistants. 那位总裁进门，三个助理先到。

承认分歧又不伤和气，把界线说得体面。

That's one of the points where we differ.

和熟人笑着承认看法不同时用，谈判决裂时不要用。

that's where we part ways ／ we'll have to agree to differ

中性

where we differ 连读，differ 收得干脆。

That's one of the points where we differ, and I still like you. 这就是我们分歧之一，不过我还是喜欢你。