to start to say; to attempt to say; to be about to say; to speak to; to address
only; merely; approximately; about; just (finished, etc.); as if to; (as though) about to
understanding; comprehension; appreciation; sympathy
to become confused (disconcerted, disorganized, disorganised); to be flustered; to panic; to hurry; to rush; to hasten
to say in other words; to put another way; to express in different words; to reword; to rephrase
to move; to shift; to inspire; to rouse; to change; to alter; to operate
that is to say; that is; in short; in brief; clogging; obstruction; shrinkage
to stop (an activity); to cease; to discontinue; to cancel; to abandon; to give up
worry; concern; anxiety; care; help; aid
injustice; impropriety; unreasonableness; undeserved; unfair; invalid
treatment; service; handling (of a machine, tool, etc.); operation; treating as; treating like
simple; easy; uncomplicated; brief; quick; light
to deceive (with words); to cajole; to talk into; to explain away (e.g. unpleasant evidence); to argue away; to wheedle
nicely; properly; frequently; often; I'm glad that you ...; thank you for ...
in comparison to; rather than
continuously in some state (for a long time, distance); throughout; much (better, etc.); by far; far away; long ago
difficult; tough; formidable; redoubtable; stubborn
to underrate; to belittle; to look down on; to despise
reflection; reconsideration; introspection; regret; repentance; remorse
to be opposite; to face each other; to confront (an issue); to face
to change; to alter; to reform; to correct; to examine; to check
whether or not (in phrases like "I don't know whether or not I can come")
to fix upon (one-sidedly); to (ignore somebody's position and) arbitrarily decide something is the case; to scold; to take (a person) to task
to use (a thing, method, etc.); to make use of; to use (a person, animal, puppet, etc.); to employ; to use (time, money, etc.); to spend
to decide; to choose; to clinch (a victory); to decide (the outcome of a match); to persist in doing; to go through with; to always do
wanted; wished for; in need of; I want (you) to
few; a little; scarce; insufficient; seldom
this sort of; this kind of; like this; such
shape; form; appearance; state; situation; suitable
anything and everything; just about everything
outline; main points; generally; on the whole; general; rough
awfully; frightfully; desperately; violently; unduly; extremely
to look (sound, behave) grown-up; to be adult-like; to mature
no sooner than; as soon as; immediately after; at the thought of; when I think about
drumming (noise); beating; rapidly; quickly; continuously; one after the other
state; state of affairs; appearance; look; sign; indication
as expected; sure enough; after all (is said and done); in the end; too; also
age-appropriate (esp. of clothing, hairstyles)
vivid; bright; brilliant; skillful; skilful; adept