1.   As it was, some high vaults collapsed before towers were added, as at Beauvais.

2.   But the Nasdaq market collapsed before the stock offering was ever filed.

3.   Enron grew big and collapsed before most people knew what it did.

4.   Empires have collapsed before, but never quite as the Soviet Union did.

5.   Having used up every ounce of vigor in the feverish first round, he all but collapsed before actually crossing the finish line.

6.   In recent years, several proposed mergers or acquisitions have collapsed before completion.

7.   It was called off last Saturday after a Ram player, Bill Tierney, collapsed before the kickoff and died.

8.   Our magical era of prosperity had collapsed before the barrel of a gun.

9.   You almost wonder today whether South Korea will collapse before North Korea.

10.   Parliament was adjourned for the fifth consecutive day Friday after a meeting of all political parties collapsed before ending a deadlock over Hindu-Muslim violence in western India.