1.   The valley was fertile, and a good crop was a near certainty.

2.   An impressive separatist win would make it a near certainty that Bouchard will launch another referendum on independence, possibly as early as next year.

3.   And beyond that, any successor would face the near certainty of a bruising confirmation battle in the Republican-controlled Senate.

4.   Afterward he contemplated his ruination and the near certainty of jail at his sentencing in June.

5.   Economists agree the budget is restrained enough to reassure the central bank and the belief it will cut its rate Friday has grown into a near certainty.

6.   For the time being, it is a near certainty that it will.

7.   In the House, which has passed similar bills in the past, passage is considered a near certainty.

8.   It is a near certainty that a collective bargaining agreement will not be reached by today.

9.   Once the legislation is passed, which is a near certainty, it will be up to the police to enforce it carefully.

10.   On Wednesday, forecasters in the Plains warned of a near certainty of a major storm with snow, rain and severe thunderstorms late this week.