to ascertain; to make sure of; to determine; to probe; to get to the bottom (of something)
desperately; for one's dear life
influential; prominent; strong; likely; plausible
able; capable; competent; talented; efficient
if it is the case that ...
marriage of convenience; marriage for political reasons
weir; bonds; fetters; ties of obligation
how; in what way; how (much); to what extent; however (much); no matter how
important; significant; precious; valuable; careful
young; youthful; immature; green; low (number); small
to become related (through marriage, adoption, etc.); to form a connection (with Buddha)
fellow; mutual; companion; comrade
position; situation; viewpoint; standpoint; point of view
to grumble; to gripe; to complain
distant future; inevitable future; places one goes to
clique; group; (political) faction; wing; school; sect
to occur to; to remind of; to come to mind
veteran; battle-worn; schooled by adversity in many battles; rich in experience
something to think about; one's thoughts; concern; thinking about something; being absorbed in one's thoughts
cloth; fabric; dough; batter; inherent quality; one's true character; unglazed pottery
to change; to alter; to reform; to correct; to examine; to check
or rather (say); or better (say); or perhaps I should say; or, how should I put it; I mean
choosing; selecting; deciding (on)
to work hard; to work diligently
easy; simple; simple (way of thinking, etc.); simple-minded; soft; lax
joint together; opposite; facing
base; basis; base (e.g. military); depot; base; base bag
by all means; at all costs; absolutely
adjustment; tweaking; improvement; modification; tinkering; minor alteration
result; effect; performance; workmanship; execution; shape and quality (of an article)
good-natured person; good person; (one's) lover; boyfriend; girlfriend
pretext; history; past; according to ...; ... says
master (of a house, shop, etc.); husband; sir; boss; patron of a mistress, geisha, bar or nightclub hostess; sugar daddy
candidate; contender; prospect; candidacy; candidature; nomination
unfavourable comparison; unfavorable comparison
to think (something) is improper; to question; to have a problem with
day in question; appointed day; that very day; the day (of issue, publication, etc.)
unrelated; irrelevant; unconcerned; unconnected
care-taking; house-sitting; house-watching; caretaker; house-sitter