As she played a trapeze artist, her role required serious physical preparation.

Thus, Germany expected another short Blitzkrieg and made no serious preparations for prolonged warfare.

The judoka carried out serious preparations in hopes of obtaining a fourth world title.

Had there been serious preparation of the manuscript, we would have waited.

Xiao Zhenya, a 57-year-old materials engineer, began making serious preparations for retirement only in the past few years.

This ensured that no serious military preparations were made.

We must finally, in Nairobi, make serious preparations for 'Kyoto 2'.

As for us, we are making serious preparations, and this is the least that can be expected of the Commission.

But before serious preparations are considered, he said, fundamental thinking is needed over just what degree of contingency planning should be done.

The Guardian said Britain should be making "discreet but serious preparations for the use of ground troops."