21.   The declines, which would be most serious for men with low sperm counts to begin with, are thought to be linked to exposure to the estrogenlike chemicals.

22.   The movement did not become serious for almost a half-century.

23.   The problem is serious even for species whose absolute numbers are reasonably good.

24.   The problem is serious for the Energy Department, critics say, because its track record on overseeing its contractors is particularly poor.

25.   The situation became serious for the Yankees in the bottom of the eighth.

26.   The strikes are more serious for Oakland, California-based Safeway.

27.   The tenderness of another person, Joe and Edith call it, turning serious for a minute.

28.   The worry that Dabhol could chill foreign investment is serious for India.

29.   Those germs can pose a risk to anyone, but the risk is worse and the ailment more serious for those whose immune systems have been weakened.

30.   This precipitous drop in a rising market is particularly serious for Republic, which has an expansion strategy of using its stock to buy up other businesses.