31.   Other big Fidelity purchases in the three-month period were shares of DuPont Co. and Monsanto Co., he said.

32.   Other airlines have won concessions from Boeing and its rival jetmakers by making big purchases and engaging manufacturers in bidding wars.

33.   Others may be planning a big purchase.

34.   One newspaper recommended that people make big purchases before the new year because money next year will be in short supply.

35.   Sales of new single-family homes fell in November for the fourth straight month even as mortgage interest rates declined, suggesting wary consumers are holding off on big purchases.

36.   Several will probably announce orders next week at the Paris Air Show, a traditional venue for unveiling big purchases.

37.   Terrence Murray, the shopaholic chief executive of FleetBoston Financial Corp., has reportedly settled on his next big purchase.

38.   The acquisition will be the fourth big purchase of a British securities firm this year by a foreign company.

39.   The acquisition will also be the fourth big purchase of a British securities firm by a foreign company this year.

40.   The big purchase is a rare piece of good news for the clothing designer.