1.   Some left after only a fortnight and, as time went by, it became increasingly hard to maintain the blockade.

2.   As the day goes on, the pollen dries up and becomes hard.

3.   She smiled though her eyes became hard.

4.   Billing targets become hard to achieve.

5.   As the effect of the acid slowly wore off, his body, like a film run backwards from death to life, became hard again.

6.   Well I think gentlemen on tall stools with quill pens are becoming increasingly hard to find, and to pay a living wage to.

7.   Although rest is the usual cure, sometimes the condition becomes increasingly hard to treat.

8.   American-grown Key limes, incidentally, are becoming increasingly hard to find.

9.   And mini-vans from the Chrysler Corp. with all-wheel drive have also become hard to get.

10.   As a result, Ardbeg became hard to find.