1.be due to 由于，因為

例句：The enquiry into the route of the new by-pass to the village was due to take place shortly, and I wanted to know what it was that motivated her.
很快就要進行對新小路的調查了，我想了解一下她反對的原因。

2.by oneself 獨自，單獨

例句：To be away from people, to be by ourselves," she added.
遠離他人，只有我們自己。”她補充說道。

3.hold strong opinions about sth 堅持認為

例句：But as I hold strong opinions about the needs of the community over-riding the opinions of private individuals, I said nothing.
但我堅持認為社區的需要重于個人的意見，所以我沒說什么。村里目前的交通，特別是對于老人和小孩來說，尤其危險，所以對我來說他們的安全比這個老年女士的怪念頭更重要。

4. a short while 一會兒

例句："Take this tree," she said pausing after a short while.
“拿這棵樹來說吧，”她停了一會兒說。