This is not a point I like to ponder too much, __________ it tip the mental balance. // EXCEPT FOR - INSTEAD - LEST
LEST (in order to avoid, to prevent)
20
The dinner had gone off pretty flawlessly, ____________ Brian burning the Italian bread. // ACCORDING TO - EXCEPT FOR - MEANWHILE
EXCEPT FOR (but, saving)
20
Copy It is success, ___________ it provides more excuses for the expansion of power over the rest of us. // INSOFAR AS - UNLESS - SCARCELY
INSOFAR AS (because, as much)
20
The following day, Wills was so weak, he could ___________ crawl out of bed on the south bank of the Cooper. // AFTERWARDS - SCARCELY - OWING TO
SCARCELY (hardly, barely)
20
My mother and stepmother are sworn enemies ___________ my mother's treatment of my stepsister when we were small. // IN CASE OF - OWING TO - FURTHERMORE
OWING TO (due to, because of)
20
It was definitely something to laugh about _________ but certainly not at the time. // OTHERWISE - ACCORDING TO - AFTERWARDS