the expectation is that ...; the reason is that ...; the fact is that ...; the explanation is that ...; it is that ...
so-so; passable; now, now; my, my
marriage of convenience; marriage for political reasons
things like; something like; someone like; such a thing as; (the fact) that; to think that
that's the way it is; such is life
it seems; I think; I guess; right?; don't you agree?
outward appearance; ostensible; public; official
only; just; merely; as much as; to the extent of; enough to
to keep up (appearances); to smooth over (an error, etc.); to gloss over; to mend; to repair
(not) particularly; (not) especially; (not) specially; separately; apart; additionally
to love one another; to be affectionate towards each other; to have sex; to make love
necessary; needed; essential; necessity; need; requirement
too; also; both A and B; A as well as B; even; as much as
nonexistent; not being (there); unowned; not had; unique; not; impossible
and; besides; because; since; the thing is; for one thing
to force; to compel; to coerce; to press; to impose
intention; plan; belief; assumption; estimate; estimation
authority; expert; counter for messages, letters, notes, documents, etc.; understanding (esp. of male-female relations); tact; supernatural powers
here; this place; this point; here; these past ... (e.g. three years); these last ...
one; for one thing; only; (not) even; just (e.g. "just try it"); some kind of; one type of
dog (Canis (lupus) familiaris); squealer; rat; loser; asshole; counterfeit
to bite; to chew; to gnaw; to fumble one's words (esp. during a play, broadcast, etc.); to falter with one's words; to crash against (e.g. of waves); to break onto (shore)
but; however; even; however; no matter how; ... or something; either ... or ...
to give up; to abandon (hope, plans); to resign oneself (to)
to be able (in a position) to do; to be up to the task; to be ready; to be completed; to be made; to be built; to be good at
moreover; furthermore; nevertheless; and yet
waste; scrap; garbage; scum; piece of trash; loser
Chinese "star" constellation (one of the 28 mansions); Singapore
to recognize; to recognise; to deem; to judge; to approve; to deem acceptable; to admit
firm; determined; resolute; conclusive
to try to ...; to be about to do ...; to decide to ...; to take as; to treat as; to use for; to suppose that (such) is the case
to be needed; to be wanted
noisily (e.g. from many people talking); creating a commotion; rustling (leaves); feeling a chill; getting the chills
indicates emotion or admiration; indicates emphasis; I; me; wah!; boo!
circumference; girth; surroundings; neighbourhood; people surrounding oneself; surrounding circumstances
to surround; to crowd around
people; men and women; each person; everybody
this; last (couple of years, etc.); these; you (as in "you liar")
two persons; two people; pair; couple
giving and taking; exchange (of letters); arguing back and forth; (conversational) exchange
to stare at; to gaze at; to look hard at; to watch intently; to fix one's eyes on
town; block; downtown; main street; street; road
outer wall (e.g. castle); outer block (enclosure); outline; contour