--- I am so sorry to have come late for the meeting.--- It is not your fault. With ______ rush-hour traffic and ______ heavy rain, it is no wonder you were late.
___ he was ill, I was expected to take his place greatly surprised me for I didn't have much working experience.
Only after a baby seal is pushed into the sea by its mother ___ to swim.
"Will you be able to finish the job this week?" " ___ ."
She was just about to explain ___ she hadn't passed her maths test chiefly out of carelessness ___ her uncle came.
The newspaper's owner and editor ___ away on holiday.