I never imagined, No way, Don’t tell me

the former ..., the latter ..., as for the former ...; as for the latter ...

Accidentally, Unconsciously, Against one's better judgement

Because of, Due to, Blame (someone/something) for a negative result

Even though, And yet, Despite

tend to, prone to, apt to

Looking, Feeling a little, Touch of

-ish, -like, characteristic of

Leaving something in a certain state, Left as is, Keep on -ing (leave something running or open, etc.)

expressly, especially, go out of one's way

What on earth?, Who in the world?, Where on earth?

with effort or trouble, at great pains, take the trouble

What is…again?, Was it... that...?, Did you say…?

Instead of, In place of, In exchange for

In place of, On behalf of, To succeed

Far from, On the contrary, Not only... but (also)

For that reason, on that account, due to that reason

It is (has been), Has become, Happen to be

Influence, Impact, Control