1- Is there any need to change it? Maybe you could use 'states', but that could undermine the case a bit by distancing the writer from the content.
No, there isn't any need to change it. I just wanted to discover whether there were any ways of changing it. Just to expand my vocabulary a bit, you know.
2. Wonderful
3- United? - Is this verb better than combine? If so I'll use it.
5- Macmillan English dictionary for advanced learners. Do you know this one?
sound - adj.
5) a sound punishment is severe
6- myself is fine there
I heard this phrase on TV a few days ago and made up my mind to check out whether I heard it correctly. As it turned out I heard entirely correctly
7- Thanks.