11.   The failure of NATO air strikes to make much difference in recent weeks led France and Britain to talk openly about possibly pulling out their troops if things worsen.

12.   The strike for the past three weeks has choked local commerce and things could worsen if no agreement is reached soon.

13.   Those concerns have sent the ruble lower, and there are signs things could worsen.

14.   Things worsen as some swamps, lakes and mangroves are converted into malls, housing or industrial estates.

15.   Things worsened this spring with the failure of diplomatic efforts to end the fighting.

16.   Things worsened when a generator at a major thermal power plant in central Taiwan broke down, Taiwan Power Company officials said.

17.   Winston Lord, former U.S. ambassador to Beijing, said he feared things could worsen if the Chinese do not release the U.S. crew.

18.   If -- if things worsen dramatically, so do his prospects.

19.   If things worsen dramatically, so do his prospects.

20.   Tobacco-related stocks plunged on Wall Street, and things worsened the following year when US legislators launched an unprecedented anti-smoking campaign.