21.   They are notoriously sticky downwards as markets soften.

22.   When J.C. Gaither started business school last year, he knew that the job market might soften while he was working toward his MBA degree.

23.   Although the satellite market has softened in recent months, it is expected to remain a key aerospace market.

24.   Commercial real-estate markets softened and the market for new single-family homes was flat.

25.   The pink slips are a tangible sign of a slowdown in the economy and workers should expect the job market to soften further in coming months, analysts say.

26.   The market softened again during the afternoon.