Strong as they were, their numbers paled in comparison to the size of the force assembled in the north.

Although the number pales when compared with the estimated 600 cookbooks of all kinds published each year, certain children's cookbooks are doing well.

The number pales in comparison to recent years, when tens of thousands of men and women applied.

Other numbers exchanged by 59 players and their clubs yesterday paled in comparison.

Although his passing numbers paled in comparison to Cunningham's, he avoided costly mistakes and delivered his share of key plays.

The weekend's numbers "paled in comparison to last year's reports of sales up double digits," he said, adding that retailers should "fear not."

The number of talking heads in the capital pales before the number of hanging heads.

The number of stolen bases, though, paled in relation to the rest of his performance.

This year's number pales compared with that.

The number of lives we could save pales in comparison to the number at risk.