about; concerning; regarding

toward; against; regarding (directional); in contrast to

aimed at; intended for; designed for (a target audience)

suitable for; suited to; appropriate for; -facing

regarding; concerning; with regard to

in response to (expectations, needs, demands, support)

concerning; over (an issue); surrounding (a controversy)

be related to; affect; involve (important/serious matters)

Go (somewhere) to do ~

In order to ~; for the purpose of ~

For ~; in order to ~; (useful/necessary) for ~

So that ~; in order that ~ (with effort/care)

For ~; for the sake of ~; for the benefit of ~

Do ~ in advance; leave ~ as it is (preparatory action)

So that ~; in such a way that ~

For the purpose of ~; in the process of ~; when doing ~

In order to ~; with the aim of ~ (formal/literary)

By means of ~; through ~; depending on ~; due to ~

According to ~ (source of information)

Through ~; via ~ (medium, person, or time period)

With ~; by means of ~; as of ~ (formal)

from ~ to ~ (across a continuous range, spread over)

through, throughout (a period), via (a medium or intermediary)

as much as; only; enough to ~ (extent, limit, or sufficient amount)

over, spanning, throughout (a long period, wide area, or broad scope)

starting with ~, including ~ as a prime example (and others like it)

judging from; even from (just this one thing, you can tell ~)

as long as; within the limits of; the most / ~ possible (condition, scope, or extremity)

starting with ~ (as the first of a sequential series, and continuing from there)

even up to; as far as; even including (emphasizing the surprising extent or thoroughness)

as of (a point in time); after ~ (as the last time); with all one's ~ (extremity)

with, by means of; as of (formal — used in official announcements and ceremonies)

approximately, about, more or less; it's fair to say it's ~ (rough assessment)

Continue to ~; keep on ~ing

More and more; increasingly ~; only continues to ~ (one-directional trend)

Is in the process of ~; is gradually ~ing (formal progressive)

Is about to ~; is on the verge of ~ing

Only ~; almost ~; on the verge of ~ing

The more ~, the more ~; if ~ then proportionally ~

As ~; with ~; along with the progress of ~

As ~; in accordance with ~; following ~

Together with ~; along with ~; as ~ (simultaneous change)

Along with ~; accompanying ~; in conjunction with ~

While ~ing; while doing ~ (simultaneous action by same subject)

Before ~; before doing ~

After ~; after doing ~

After ~ing; having done ~; then ~ (sequential, one leads to the next)

While; during (〜間 = throughout duration; 〜間に = at some point during)

When ~, (I) found/discovered that ~ (unexpected discovery upon doing X)

When ~, (I) found/discovered that ~ (discovery, more conversational than 〜ると)

When I tried ~ing, I found that ~ (discovery through intentional trial)

When ~; whenever ~ (natural consequence or habitual result)

The moment ~; as soon as ~; no sooner had ~ than (instant, often dramatic change)

Along with ~; at the same time as ~; as ~ (two changes or actions occurring in parallel)

No sooner ~ than ~; just when I thought ~, then ~ (one event immediately following another, often contrary to expectation)

Barely had ~ when; just as ~ was about to happen (two events almost overlapping)

As soon as ~; once ~ (formal; followed by volitional action or plan)

No sooner had ~ than; the instant ~ (literary, emphasizing speed of reaction)

As soon as ~; the moment ~ (literary/formal, two events in rapid succession)

The moment ~; as soon as ~ (one action immediately triggers another, often unexpected)

No sooner ~ than (the result is undone / reversed); as soon as ~, again ~ (repetitive frustration)

Not until ~ that; only after ~ did (I) ~ (realization or change that required an experience)

Since ~; after ~ (and from that point onward, a new state or continued action)

Not until after ~; must first ~ (before something else is possible or permitted)

While ~ (opportunity window); before ~ happens (趁 / take advantage of the time)

After ~ing; upon ~ing (as a prerequisite step; after due consideration or process)

Ever since ~; from the time ~ (and continuing to the present, marking a lasting change)

Prior to ~; before ~ (formal, often for preparatory procedures or official events)

Ever since ~ (and things have been completely different; dramatic, lasting change after a pivotal event)

When ~; at the time of ~

About to ~; in the middle of ~; just did ~

On the occasion of ~; when ~ (formal)

Just as ~; when ~ (interruption / observation at that moment)

Halfway through ~; start to ~ (and stop unfinished)

While ~; before ~ (window of opportunity)

In the midst of ~; at the peak of ~ (interrupted)

At ~; in ~; regarding ~ (formal locative/domain)

On the occasion of ~; at the time of ~ (polite/formal)

Upon ~; on the occasion of ~ (ceremonial / procedural)

In starting ~; at the outset of ~ (with resolve/intent)

Under ~ circumstances; in ~ situation (literary)

As it is; leaving ~ unchanged; while still ~

While (doing ~); taking the opportunity to ~

While ~ing; although ~ing (simultaneous or concessive)

Without ~; leaving out ~; omitting ~

Setting aside ~; without ~; leaving ~ out of consideration

While ~; taking the occasion to ~ (casual/polite)

While ~; on the side of ~ (long-term parallel activity)

While ~; taking the opportunity of ~ (formal/ceremonial)

Only ~; limited to ~; exclusively for ~

Only when ~; particularly ~; ironically ~ (especially when)

As long as ~; while ~ holds true; to the extent that ~

As far as ~; from what I ~ (limited to one's own knowledge/observation)

Only ~; merely ~; nothing but ~ (formal/emphatic)

Unique to ~; only possible with ~; distinctive of ~

Leaving aside ~; other than ~ there is no ...; apart from ~

Not only ~ but also ~

Not only ~ but also (slightly formal)

Not only ~ but even ~; not merely ~ but on the contrary ~

Not limited to ~; not only ~ but also; regardless of ~

Not only ~ but also (formal/literary)

Not stopping at ~; not limited to ~; extending beyond ~

Both ~ and ~; there are both ~ and ~ (listing parallel elements)

On top of ~; in addition to ~; moreover ~

Not to mention ~; ~ of course; needless to say ~

Not to mention ~; ~ goes without saying; from the start ~

Let alone ~; far from ~; to say nothing of ~

Not only ~ but also; ~ is important of course, but ~ is also noteworthy

Combined with ~; coupled with ~; working together with ~

Can't help but ~; unbearably ~; so ~ one can't stand it

Can't help but ~; unbearably ~ (strong visceral or emotional impulse)

Can't help feeling ~; inevitably feel ~ (emotion welling up from within)

End up ~ing (regrettably); accidentally go and ~ (expressing regret or unintended action)

Can't help doing ~; cannot resist ~; cannot keep oneself from ~

Naturally feel/think ~; ~ comes to mind spontaneously; can't help but feel ~

Never cease to ~; earnestly and enduringly ~ (of prayers, wishes, respect)

Extremely ~; nothing could be more ~; the height of ~ (expression of extreme emotion)

Cannot afford not to ~; must ~ (by social, moral, or positional obligation)

Have no choice but to ~; cannot help but ~; be compelled to ~ (by external circumstances)

Indescribably ~; beyond words; there's no describing how ~

Cannot get away without ~ing; won't just end with not ~ing; ~ing is unavoidable to settle the matter

Will definitely make (someone) ~; will certainly cause ~; cannot fail to evoke ~ (strong causative assertion)

Cannot help but ~; will inevitably ~ (spontaneous, irresistible impulse from within)

Be forced to ~ / force (someone) to ~ (formal, for unavoidable situations)

How ~ (it is)!; What a ~!

I want (someone) to ~; I wish (someone) would ~

Truly ~; how ~ (a thing) is (heartfelt observation about a general truth)

Used to ~ (nostalgic recollection of a past habit)

How ~ (it must be / was)!; how very ~!

How ~ it is! (exclamation expressing the speaker's emotional reaction)

To one's ~; ~ly enough; what's ~ is that ~

There is something ~ about it; it has a certain ~ quality

(To think) that ~!; the very idea of ~! (surprise, admiration, contempt, or disbelief)

How I wish (to) ~; I really hope ~ (heartfelt desire)

Isn't there some way to ~?; can't we somehow ~? (strong wish often phrased as a question)

To think that ~!; the very idea of ~!; I never imagined ~

I want (a thing); I would like (an object)

I want to (do); I would like to (do)

(Someone) shows signs of wanting/feeling ~; is eager to ~

I hope that ~; it would be good if ~; why don't you ~

N1 is more ~ than N2

N2 is more ~ than N1

Which is more ~, N1 or N2?

N1 is not as ~ as N2

Among N1, N2 is the most ~

Too much ~; excessively ~

N1 is ~, but N2 is ~ (contrastive)

To the degree of ~; so much that ~

Approximately ~; to the extent of ~

There is nothing as ~ as ~

There's nothing better than ~; ~ is best

If it's going to be that ~; rather than ~

Enough ~ to; worthy of ~

Better than ~; at least it's ~

Even more than ~; surpassing ~

Even if not to the extent of ~

In contrast to ~; while ~ (contrastive)

Contrary to ~; against ~

On the other hand ~; while ~ has its other side

Rather than ~; it's more like ~

Instead of ~; in place of ~

In exchange for ~; as compensation for ~

On behalf of ~; replacing ~

On the one hand ~; while ~ (contrast)

Far from ~; not just ~ (negative emphasis)

Let alone ~; on top of that ~

Whether to ~ or not (deliberation)

In contrast to ~; unlike ~ (strong contrast)

It is that ~; the explanation is ~ (explanatory / seeking-explanation tone)

Special honorific verbs (いらっしゃる, おっしゃる, 召し上がる, ご覧になる, etc.)

Honorific: V (respectful form for another person's action)

Honorific: respect form using the passive auxiliary (respectful alternative for another's action)

Please V (polite request / respectful imperative)

Special humble verbs (参る, 申す, いたす, おる, 存じる, 致す, etc.)

Humble: I humbly do V (for you / for a respected person's benefit)

Polite copula: there is / it is / I am (ultra-polite form of ある / です)

Honorific prefix (お for native-Japanese words / ご for Sino-Japanese words)

Honorific: is doing / has done V (polite observation of another's action or state)

For ~; from the standpoint of ~ (marks the evaluator — the entity making the judgment)

As ~; in the capacity of ~ (marks the role, identity, or capacity the subject assumes)

From the viewpoint of ~; in terms of ~; on the ~ level (abstract dimension of evaluation)

Judging from ~; speaking from the standpoint of ~ (making a judgment based on a framework or perspective)

From the perspective of ~; judging by ~ (inference based on observable evidence or data)

From ~'s point of view; if you were ~ (empathetic perspective-taking)

Even from ~'s standpoint; even if ~ (concessive — not even X can change the fact that Y)

In one's own way; appropriate to ~ (doing things at one's own level or style, accepting limitations)

Considering ~; for ~; despite relatively ~ (the result is disproportionate to the standard or expectation)

As is expected of ~; worthy of being ~ (positive confirmation of reputation or status)

For ~; considering it is ~ (the result is unexpected given the subject's attribute or status)

When it comes to ~; once ~ (elevated status, stage, or time — a qualitative shift occurs)

Of all ~; being a ~ (should not do such a thing — expresses strong censure that someone of that standing would act inappropriately)

It seems like N; it looks like N; as if N

N-like N; in the manner of N; like N

So that ~; in order to ~ (purpose) / like ~; the kind of ~ that (comparison)

Just as; exactly as; according to; in accordance with

Based on; on the basis of; using ~ as source material

To make A into B; to use A as B; to treat A as B; to designate A as B

Along; in accordance with; following (a plan/policy/guideline)

Based on; according to; on the basis of (grounded in facts/rules/data)

Under; under the guidance/supervision/control of; in the name of

In accordance with; conforming to; in strict compliance with

Based on; in light of; taking into account; incorporating

Regardless of ~; without relation to ~ (a factor does not affect the outcome)

Regardless of ~; in spite of ~ (the result holds no matter what the factor is, or despite an adverse factor)

Regardless of ~; irrespective of ~ (the factor is not even questioned — it simply doesn't matter)

Without caring about ~; heedless of ~ (acting despite something that would normally give one pause)

Setting aside ~; ~ aside (for now) (acknowledging a topic exists but suspending it to discuss something else)

Leaving aside ~; putting ~ aside (explicitly deferring a topic to address a higher priority one now)

Regardless of ~; irrespective of the circumstances of ~ (ultra-formal: the particulars don't change the outcome)

Undeterred by ~; defying ~ (facing a major difficulty or obstacle without being fazed)

Disregarding ~; indifferent to ~ (while others are doing/feeling something else — a contrast of situations)

I don't know about ~, but...; ~ may be (an exception), but... (conceding that an unusual case might differ, but the general case stands)

give N (to someone)

receive N (from someone)

(someone) gives me/us N

do ~ for (someone) (as a favor)

have (someone) do ~; receive the favor of ~ being done

(someone) does ~ for me/us (a kindness toward the speaker)

make/force (someone) do ~ (compulsion)

let/allow (someone) do ~ (permission / doing a kindness)

cause/elicit ~; bring about ~ (triggering an involuntary reaction)

is ~ed; gets ~ed (basic passive)

(one's ~) gets ~ed; have one's ~ ~ed (possessor passive)

suffer ~ happening; be adversely affected by ~ (adversity passive)

is ~ed (impersonal passive — inanimate subject, agent omitted)

is made to ~; is forced to ~ (causative-passive: affected by being made to do)

by; due to; depending on; by means of (causation, means, agency, correspondence)

depending on ~; in some cases ~; some ~ (may ~)

every time ~; whenever ~; each time ~

triggered by ~; using ~ as a starting point; sparked by ~

depends on ~; all comes down to ~; hinges on ~

depending on ~; in some cases ~ (conditional/specific outcome of depending on N)

in accordance with; corresponding to; according to (proportional or matching response)

each time ~; whenever ~; in connection with ~ (emotional association with a recurring trigger)

spurred by ~; taking ~ as a turning point; triggered by ~ (formal, societal/official)

depending on ~; hinging on ~; settled by ~ (the outcome is determined by N)

depending on how ~; in some outcomes ~; should ~ turn out a certain way (conditional/specific outcome of いかん)

do things like ~ and ~ (non-exhaustive list)

things like ~ and ~ (casual listing)

whether ~ or ~; in either case

such as ~; ~ and the like

whether ~ or ~; be it ~ or ~

things like ~ and ~ (uncertainty / mixed emotions)

I'm not sure how to describe it; ~ or ~

either ~ or ~ (choose one, suggest options)

both ~ and ~ (positive/negative listing, each aspect noteworthy)

not just ~ but also ~; all over ~ (without distinction)

whether it be ~ or ~; regardless of ~ or ~

A N₂ called N₁; N₂ named N₁

What ~ means is; the meaning of ~ is; ~ is (definition)

When it comes to ~; in terms of ~ (asserting excellence in a domain)

What ~ is; the definition of ~ (formal)

The thing called ~ is; the fact that ~ is (general truth / essence)

Speaking of ~; when it comes to ~ (casual topic shift by association)

Speaking of ~ (topic introduction); if we're talking about ~

You mean ~?; By that you mean ~?; In other words ~? (confirmation / rephrasing)

As for ~; when it comes to ~ (contrastive topic — often highlighting difference)

When it comes to ~ (emphatic); I tell you, ~ was so... (strong impression / emotional intensity)

When it comes to the matter of ~; when ~ is concerned (topic shift where attitudes/behavior change)

When it comes to ~; speaking of ~ (often expressing complaint, criticism, or exasperation)

It is precisely ~; ~ is exactly the one; nothing but ~

Even ~ (surprising minimum); so much as ~

Even ~; to the point of ~; as far as ~ (extreme extent)

Only by ~ (can one truly ...); it is by ~ that one can finally ...

Even to the point of ~; going so far as to ~ (often excessive)

Even ~; so much as ~ (formal/literary, stronger than さえ)

The thing called ~ is (by nature) ...; ~ is fundamentally ...

~ exists only because of ~; ~ is what makes ~ possible

Only ~ (can); precisely because it is ~; for the first time because of being ~

Extremely ~; the height of ~; utterly ~

Things like ~; such as ~; ~ and the like (often belittling or emphatic)

At least ~; to the extent that ~; so ~ that ~

Not even one ~; absolutely no ~ (strong negation with a counter)

Not even ~; not a single ~ (emphatic, formal negation)

Merely ~; just ~; nothing more than ~; it's simply a matter of ~

Because ~; since ~; so ~

~ and; because ~ (mild causal connection); ~ so

Both N₁ ~ and N₂ ~; not only ~ but also ~

And also; besides; not only that but ~ (listing reasons or attributes)

For the sake of ~; in order to ~; because of ~

Due to ~; by means of ~; depending on ~

From the fact that ~; judging from ~; based on ~

Thanks to ~; owing to ~ (with gratitude, positive result)

Because of ~ (negative result, blame); owing to ~ (unfavorable)

Because ~ (personal reason / excuse); it's just that ~

Simply because ~; just because ~ (leading to a negative/unfortunate result)

Due to ~; because of ~ (formal, often in public notices); per ~

Now that ~; since ~ (with strong commitment to a natural consequence)

Precisely because ~; exactly because ~ (emphatic reason)

Since ~ (casual, often one of several reasons); and also because ~

Since ~; now that ~; as long as ~ (strong determination/obligation)

Now that ~; since ~ (formal, resolute — a matter of honor/principle)

Knowing (that person) ~; because it's ~ (inference based on someone's character)

Judging from ~; seeing that ~; from the fact that ~

Precisely because ~ (the result is commensurately great or understandable)

All the more ~ because ~; precisely because ~ (emotion or judgment intensified)

So ~ that ~; due to excessive ~; to such an extent that ~

Given that ~; because it is ~ (special circumstance); being that ~

It's not as if ~; you're not ~ (so why...); it isn't like ~

Precisely because ~ (classical, emphatic — often paired with のだ)

Having said/done ~; out of regard for appearances; considering one's position

but ~; although ~ (neutral contrast)

even though ~; despite ~ (contrary to expectation)

even though one says ~; having said that ~

although ~; despite being ~

while ~; although ~ (formal/literary)

despite ~ (pejorative / critical)

although ~; that said ~ (written)

in spite of ~; despite ~ (strong concession, formal)

just because ~ doesn't mean; even though

even if ~; granting that ~

even while ~; although ~ (emphatic)

if only ~ (regret / complaint)

at the moment when ~; despite being in a situation where ~

that being said ~; although that may be true

even though it is said ~; even ~ (formal written)

contrary to expectations ~; I thought ~ but

even if ~; even though ~

if ~ would have ~ (but didn't); what-if regret

even if ~ (hypothetical emphasis)

even assuming ~; even if we accept ~

even granting that ~ (hypothetical concession)

even if ~ it's futile / won't change anything

even if it's ~; regardless of being ~

even if ~ (volitional form); no matter ~

whether ~ or not; regardless of whether ~

If / when ~ (then ~)

If ~ (then ~) — general / hypothetical condition

Whenever ~ / if ~ (then naturally / inevitably ~)

Why don't you ~? / How about ~ing? (suggestion / advice)

If it's the case that ~ / If you're talking about ~ (topic-conditional)

As long as ~ / if only ~ (minimal sufficient condition)

Supposing that ~ / If we assume that ~ (hypothetical scenario)

If only ~ (but it's not / but things are otherwise) — counterfactual with regret

Unless ~ / without first doing ~ (prerequisite condition)

If I could ~ / If one dares to ~ (potential wish or volitional warning)

Without ~ / leaving aside ~ (something indispensable cannot be omitted)

If one should dare to ~ / If such a thing were to happen (dire consequence)

As long as ~ not / unless ~ (limiting condition for something to hold true)

When it comes to ~ / If it turns out that ~ (topic-raising with implication)

Once you ~, it's all over / there's no turning back (irreversible negative consequence)

Without ~, (something) cannot be achieved / would not exist

If it is ~ / Given that it is ~ (special case condition warranting action)

Should; ought to (moral/social obligation based on the speaker's judgment)

Should be; is expected to; it is supposed that (logical conclusion from known facts)

It is certain that ~; surely ~; bound to ~ (speaker's absolute conviction)

Have no choice but to ~; there is nothing to do but ~; can only ~

Should; ought to (general moral norm or social common sense)

Nothing other than ~; precisely ~; exactly ~ (strong identity assertion)

Merely ~; nothing more than ~; only ~ (downplaying or limiting)

That's what ~ is; that's the very definition of ~; it is precisely the case that ~ (speaker's conclusive judgment)

Will not ~; probably will not ~; must not ~ (negative volition or negative conjecture)

Just have to ~; that's all there is to it; there's nothing more to it than ~ (limiting resolve or minimizing)

Is worthy of ~; deserves ~; is worth ~ (evaluation of merit)

Cannot but say ~; have no choice but to conclude ~ (reluctant but unavoidable assertion)

Must not ~; shall not ~ (strong prohibition, archaic/formal)

Extremely ~; utterly ~; the height of ~ (often negative evaluation)

The height of ~; the pinnacle of ~; the ultimate in ~ (extreme degree, literary)

Let's ~ (polite volitional / invitation)

Won't you ~?; Shall we ~? (polite invitation)

Must not ~; may not ~ (prohibition)

Must ~; have to ~ (obligation / necessity)

Don't have to ~; it's not necessary to ~ (lack of obligation)

Please ~ (polite request)

Please don't ~ (polite negative request)

Do ~ (firm command, often parent to child or teacher to student)

Had better ~; should ~ (strong advice / recommendation)

How about ~?; Why don't you ~? (gentle suggestion)

May ~; it's okay to ~ (permission)

Make sure to ~; try to ~; make an effort to ~ (conscious habit formation)

Must ~; do ~ / don't ~ (written rule or instruction)

There's no need to ~; you don't have to ~; it's not that ~ (emphatic non-necessity)

Should; ought to (moral/social obligation based on speaker's judgment)

Should; ought to / should not; ought not to (general moral norm or social common sense)

Have no choice but to ~; can only ~; there's nothing to do but ~

Cannot afford not to ~; it would be unacceptable not to ~ (double-negative obligation from social expectation)

Cannot but ~; have no choice but to ~; compelled to ~ (reluctant but unavoidable action)

Shall we not ~?; Let us ~! (formal, rhetorical call to action)

Should ~; it's important to ~ (personal advice framed as universal wisdom)

Nothing beats ~; ~ is the best; best to ~ (strong subjective recommendation)

Will not ~; shall not ~; probably not ~ (negative volition or negative conjecture)

Must not ~; should not ~; that cannot be ~ed (attributive prohibition, formal/literary)

It would be strange not to ~; it is only natural that ~; one naturally ought to ~

Cannot avoid ~ing; must ~; won't get away without ~ing (social/moral compulsion)

Be forced to ~; be compelled to ~ (by external circumstances beyond one's control)

Can do ~; be able to do ~

Potential form of godan verbs (can do ~)

Potential form of ichidan and irregular verbs (can do ~)

Intransitive verbs with inherent potential meaning (be visible, audible, etc.)

Easy to ~; hard to ~ (due to inherent properties)

Cannot (due to social obligation, moral duty, or external circumstance)

There is no way to ~; cannot possibly ~ (no method exists)

Hard to ~; difficult to ~ (psychologically or emotionally; nearly impossible)

Cannot (bring oneself to) ~; find it difficult to ~ (polite / formal reservation)

Can possibly ~; cannot possibly ~ (logical possibility / impossibility)

Even though I want/try to ~, I can't (circumstances prevent it)

Worthy of ~; sufficient to ~; enough to merit ~

Can bear/withstand ~; cannot bear ~ (or: extremely ~, beyond words)

just did ~ (subjectively recent)

become ~ (natural/spontaneous change of state)

make ~ (deliberate/volitional change)

come to ~ / no longer ~ (gradual change in ability, habit, or circumstance)

do completely / end up doing ~ (completion or regret)

begin to ~ / start ~ (onset of an action)

finish doing ~ (completion of an action)

begin to ~ (suddenly / unexpectedly / involuntarily)

just did ~; when I did ~ (trigger for discovering something)

after ~ (leading to a negative or unsatisfactory result)

after ~ (long process of deliberation or effort, leading to a result)

only ~ / just ~; the last time ~ (and no more since then)

when it comes to ~; now that it has reached the point of ~

so that means ~; that's why ~; no wonder ~ (logical conclusion)

do completely / can do completely / cannot possibly do fully

it has been decided/arranged that ~; it means that ~ (result derived from circumstances)

I hear that ~ (hearsay); it means that ~ (explanation/interpretation)

it is a rule/arrangement that ~; it is established that ~

do through to the end / persevere and complete ~

almost did ~; was on the verge of ~; nearly occurred

leave ~ in that state; keep doing ~ without stopping (often neglectful)

ended up not doing ~ (despite intention or opportunity, with regret)

the reason is that ~; it depends on ~ (formal explanation of circumstances)

lead to ~; come to ~; reach the point/stage of ~

ended up in such a (bad) state; went so far as to ~

Have (done) ~ before (experience)

There are times when ~; sometimes happens / doesn't happen

Try doing ~ (and see what happens / how it turns out)

Is ~ing (progressive); has ~ed (resultant state); does ~ (habitual)

Has been ~ed (intentional action done in preparation; resultant state remains)

Looks like ~; seems ~ (visual impression / judgment from appearance)

As for N₁, N₂ is ~ (topic-comment / double-subject structure)

Sense perception — (I) hear/smell/taste/feel a ~

Has ~ (appearance / shape / feature); is ~-shaped / -colored / -faced

Truly ~-like; typical of ~; worthy of the name ~

Tends to ~; prone to ~ (usually negative tendency observed over time)

Full of ~; covered in ~; riddled with ~ (negative connotation)

-ish; somewhat like ~; easily tends to ~

Slightly ~; showing signs of ~; a touch of ~ (mild negative tendency)

Has a (bad) tendency to ~; is apt to ~ (negative habit / inclination)

Covered in ~ (sticky / messy / unpleasant substance on the surface)

Entirely ~; nothing but ~; completely ~ (can be positive, negative, or neutral)

As if ~ (counterfactual comparison — acting/appearing as though the unreal were real)

As if to ~; in a manner that resembles ~ (describing the physical manner of an action)

-looking; seeming ~; with an air of ~ (describing someone's manner or appearance)

Without really intending to ~; idly ~ (doing something absentmindedly)

While in the state of ~; as ~ (describing a state that persists alongside the main action or condition)

As if about to ~; on the verge of ~; almost ~ (a strong, imminent appearance)

I hear that ~; apparently ~

they say ~; it is said that ~

probably ~; I think ~ (conjecture)

right? ~, isn't it? (confirmation)

I think that probably ~

it seems ~; apparently ~ (hearsay/inference)

might ~; perhaps ~; may ~

should ~; it is expected that ~; must be ~ (logical expectation)

it seems ~; it looks like ~ (observation/inference)

it is said that ~; I'm told that ~; apparently ~ (formal hearsay)

I hear ~; something about ~; apparently ~ (casual hearsay)

there is a risk/danger that ~; there is a possibility (negative outcome) that ~

must be ~; undoubtedly ~; I'm sure that ~ (strong conviction)

it appears that ~; evidently ~; judging from appearances

will not ~; probably won't ~ (negative conjecture)

isn't it the case that ~?; might it not be ~?; could it be that ~?

could very well ~; there is a real danger that ~; might (negative outcome)

must be ~; without a doubt ~; unquestionably ~ (formal strong conviction)

Cannot possibly be ~ (polite strong denial based on logic)

There is no way that ~; cannot be ~ (logical impossibility based on expectation)

There is no reason that ~; it cannot be that ~ (logical impossibility based on reasoning)

Without ~ing (emphasizing the absence of an expected action)

Not even ~; doesn't bother to ~ (emphatic denial with contempt or criticism)

Far from ~; this is no time for ~; let alone ~ (the situation is too extreme for that)

As if ~!; no way ~!; I would never ~ (strong emotional denial or refusal)

Without ~ (indicating the absence of a prerequisite or accompanying action)

Needless to say ~; there is no need to ~; it goes without saying that ~

It is true that ~, but ~; certainly ~, but ~ (partial concession / qualified admission)

Not necessarily ~; it doesn't necessarily mean that ~; not always ~

It doesn't mean that ~; it is not the case that ~; it's not that ~ (partial negation of an inference)

It's not that ~ doesn't / isn't; I wouldn't say never ~; ~ to some extent (double-negative weak affirmation)

It is not necessarily the case that ~; it doesn't follow that ~ (denial of a simplistic generalization)

It's not that I don't ~; I might (reluctantly) ~; it is not entirely impossible that ~ (hesitant, roundabout weak affirmation)

let's ~; I will ~ (volitional form)

I think I will ~; I intend to ~; I'm planning to ~

I'll have ~ (decision); I'll choose ~; it'll be ~ (outcome / change of state)

I decide to ~; I make the decision to ~; I'll make a point of ~

it has been decided that ~; it turns out that ~; the situation is such that ~

it's obvious that ~; of course ~; it goes without saying that ~

there's no choice but ~; have no option other than ~

will not ~; intend not to ~; am determined not to ~ (negative volition)

nothing other than ~; it is precisely ~; it is none other than ~

merely ~; no more than ~; just ~; nothing but ~

it is that ~; that's just what ~ is; that's the very nature of ~ (assertive explanation)

there's nothing better than ~; it's best to ~; you can't go wrong with ~

just ~; only have to ~; that's all there is to it (resignation or determination)

if ~, that's the end of it; once ~ there's no point anymore; if ~, it would all be for nothing

it's not ~; it doesn't amount to ~; it's not worth being called ~ (dismissing)

Please give me N

Please do V / Please don't do V

Would you please give me N / Would you please do V? (polite request)

Please V (honorific request)

Please let me V (request for permission)

Do V! (imperative — direct command)

Don't V! (informal/strong prohibition)

Do V (firm but caring command — parent/teacher to child)

Let's V; I will V (invitation / volition)

Won't you V? / Would you like to V? (polite invitation)

Shall I V? / Let's V? (offer to do something / consultative invitation)

You should / had better V; You shouldn't / had better not V

Why don't you V? / How about V-ing? (soft suggestion)

What should I V? / How should I V? (asking for advice)

You should V / It would be good to V (advice / recommendation)

You may V / It's okay to V (permission)

You must not V / V is not allowed (prohibition)

Must V / Have to V (obligation / necessity)

You don't have to V / It's okay not to V (lack of obligation)

Tell someone to V / Advise someone to V (indirect command / report)

Say 'Do V' / Say 'Don't V' (reported command / prohibition)

Could I / May I have the favor of V-ing? (humble permission request)

You must V / Do not V (formal written rule / command)

There's no need to V / You don't have to V (reassuring negation of necessity)

Should / Ought to V / Should not V (moral/social obligation)

One should (not) V (general moral advice / natural principle)

Let us V! / Why don't we V? (formal call to action / appeal)

It is permissible to V / V-ing would not be a problem (formal permission / concession)

You should V / It's important to V (advice / admonition)

Must not V / Should not V (archaic/literary prohibition)