The three modes are very close to each other in spirit, staining each other: one often hears a barely suppressed note of desperation in the praise, as if it were about to collapse back into plea or plaint.
Afraid my lower back was about to seize up from mashing the pedals, I often stood to pedal, only to have my right hip feel as if it were about to collapse.
Ryan, who was elected president of the sandhogs' union, Local 147, in 1999, has trouble lifting his shoulders; his red hair has turned silver, and his broad chest is compressed, as if it were about to collapse.
We'd all be in smart cars or on two wheels if it were about transportation.
His face had a pale-greenish tint and his strong body looked as if it were about to collapse.
I looked at the dilapidated house leaning out over the hill as if it were about to fall flat on its face.
This circa 1578 work depicts a fierce-looking cat that looks as if it were about to leap out of its frame.
Though its explosive title made it sound as if it were about race, it was basically about information.
Here, plump-fingered, bejeweled hands tear at a well-glazed bird as if it were about to unleash 1,000 locusts from its cavity.
If it were about personal accolades, tonight would have belonged to Marcus Camby.
"If it were about the money, I would be wealthy today.
