I'd sooner我宁可

一句把思乡说得又静又深，海浪声里全是回不去的故乡。

I've not done something since I left ...

说起离开某地后的遗憾时用；在刚认识的人面前说会显得沉重。

I haven't slept to the sound of the sea since I left home. ／ Not once since Ireland have I slept with the waves.

中性

not slept 重读，sound of the sea 连读，since 后稍顿。

I've not eaten that dish since I left my hometown. 自从离开家乡，我就再没吃过那道菜。

把一件琐碎家务说成一门学问，轻巧又有生活气。

You learn the oddest things when you ...

聊爱好里的小发现时用；正经讲道理时这样说会显得随意。

You pick up the strangest things when you garden. ／ Gardening teaches you the oddest little facts.

中性

oddest 重读，when you garden 收轻，句尾放平。

You learn the oddest things when you cook for yourself. 自己做饭的时候，你会学到最稀奇古怪的事。

把换床垫说成拿铸铁来换，一本正经的荒唐，特别好笑。

Do you have any ... I can swap for ...?

半开玩笑地提要求时用；对不熟的人这样说会显得怪。

Have you got anything I can swap for this old mattress? ／ Any chance of a trade for this mattress?

口语

cast iron 重读，swap for 连读，问句尾音上扬。

Do you have any old maps I can swap for these books? 你有没有旧地图，让我拿来换这些书？

一句关于天气的随口提醒，藏着夜访者没说出口的关心。

It turns cold in the night here sometimes.

提醒对方夜里加衣时用；日常寒暄里很自然，正式场合显得随意。

It gets cold here at night sometimes. ／ The nights here can turn cold.

中性

turns cold 重读，in the night 连读，sometimes 收尾。

It turns cold in the night here sometimes, so take a jacket. 这里夜里有时会变冷，带件外套吧。