You can't undo subgroup linking syntax
It will take \~a year or 2 for [blank] to happen. It will only take ~a year or 2 for [blank] to happen. Doesn't happen often but it can.
    2
    
    votes
    
    
      
  It will take \~a year or 2 for [blank] to happen. It will only take ~a year or 2 for [blank] to happen. Doesn't happen often but it can.