1.   But after public opinion surveys showed vast support for the raid, they softened their language and uncharacteristically retreated from a public inquiry.

2.   He may have softened the language to avoid calling attention to his differences with Kemp, who has generally backed affirmative action programs.

3.   He never softened his language to ingratiate.

4.   In the end, the language was considerably softened.

5.   So the human resources committee softened the language.

6.   Softening his language is a start, but only a start.

7.   The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of the amendment and an attempt to soften the language was soundly turned back.

8.   When she softened the language, she would lose Republicans.

9.   At U.N. headquarters in New York, European Union diplomats were trying to persuade the Palestinians to soften language in their draft of an assembly resolution.

10.   But the language was softened to win support from European nations and Japan, which voted for it.