21.  Although in 1996 our reviewer, Joe Queenan, found the story somewhat workmanlike, he said "Hoeg's writing ... can still be quite dazzling."

22.  As a general rule, the Newtons made by Nabisco are much blander and somewhat sweeter than the copycat bars sold in health food stores.

23.  Despite National Grid's incursions into the Northeast, ratepayer advocates remain somewhat wary of the deal, since they know little about the British company.

24.  Despite the mushy suspension, handing is nimble, though somewhat elephantine.

25.  Despite spending time with a surplus of life's losers, Kelton admitted, somewhat sheepishly, that she still would like a man in her life.

26.  Despite the seeming placidity of the day, trading was somewhat volatile Wednesday.

27.  Despite the somewhat crude conditions, the children seemed cheerful enough.

28.  Despite the braking action of schools and dictionaries, Steinmetz foresees a somewhat simplified spelling (as did Noah Webster two centuries ago, and he was rawng).

29.  Despite the day's somewhat downbeat economic news, the stock market reacted modestly to both reports.

30.  Despite Tuesday's accord, the bill's path to the president's desk remains somewhat rocky.