11.   Late last year, Citicorp was in talks to acquire the American Express Co., though those discussions seem to be dormant for the moment.

12.   Moira K. Lyons, the House speaker, said that at first the discussion seemed like a fractious U. N. debate.

13.   Now, the discussion seems endless and unclear.

14.   Taiwan is a highly politicized society, living under a near-permanent threat from China, and day-to-day discussion seems to revolve around the relationship with Beijing.

15.   Such intensely detailed discussions may seem like squabbling to outsiders.

16.   The discussions all seem to end on a spiritual note.

17.   The Giants have spoken with several teams about trading up or down, and the most serious discussions seem to be with the Ravens.

18.   To someone from outside Miami, the discussion seemed extraordinary.

19.   Discussion seemed divided between taking in just three new members or widening it to four or five.

20.   Discussion seemed divided into those who favor taking in just three new members and those who would like to widen it to four or five.