All sought to demonstrate their seriousness of purpose.

According to reports, the US hoped to reach agreement on actions that would (yet again) demonstrate North Korea's seriousness about ending its nuclear programmes.

During one committee session, he brandished a machete to demonstrate his seriousness as a budget-cutter.

To demonstrate their seriousness, they cut off one of their victim's ears and sent it to a television station that carries the Ratinho program.

Last spring, his Government - demonstrating its seriousness on fiscal restraint - took back a temporary tax cut, increased the sales tax and eliminated some medical subsidies.

He completely avoids the leaden prose which so many academics affect as a misguided means of demonstrating their high-minded seriousness.

To demonstrate his seriousness in the global talks, Mr. Zoellick recently unveiled an ambitious proposal to cut agricultural barriers.

But it was important because it demonstrated the Fed's seriousness about stopping inflation.

Once again he sought to demonstrate his seriousness by saying that while such discussions run hot and cold, "this is not a particularly cooled down time."