1.   Although the unemployment rate here is still below the national average the gap is closing.

2.   Although donations to private colleges and universities still exceed those to public higher education, the gap is closing.

3.   Among Africans at least, the language gap has closed.

4.   At a private meeting of his shadow cabinet and senior party officials, he said that this gap will close as the general election approaches.

5.   Afterward the gap closed to less than six percentage points.

6.   Although Boeing still will be behind Lockheed Martin for defense contracts once it acquires McDonnell Douglas, the gap will have closed to about a half-billion dollars.

7.   But he said the gap is closing as California adds jobs faster than the national average.

8.   But that gap has almost closed.

9.   But the gap has been closing rapidly.

10.   But the gap must be closing fast if His Airness is considering a midlife return next season.