11.   Their desperate attempts to cut expenditure in any way they could led to a sharp Decline in print quality.

12.   They are downsizing the workforce in a desperate attempt to save the firm.

13.   The French government were engaged in a desperate attempt to maintain their control of Indo-China.

14.   In a desperate attempt to stave off defeat, he reluctantly promised wholesale reform of the constitution.

15.   They made one last desperate attempt to fight their way out.

16.   Flights took place sporadically throughout the month in a desperate attempt to build up stockpiles of supplies before the winter.

17.   Then, against the advice of all, he embarks upon a final desperate attempt, which he later describes as the worst mistake he ever made.

18.   I think he wanted a move to London as a desperate attempt save his marriage.

19.   It was designed as a desperate attempt by a desperate Government to dig itself out of a mess of its own making.

20.   In a desperate attempt to concentrate, and ignore David who had followed her, she turned her attention to the burly shop-floor worker who awaited her.