This sentence-combining exercise has been adapted from a narrative paragraph relating the misadventures of a would-be thief. Your job is to combine the sentences in each set of the exercise. (For guidelines and examples, see What Is Sentence Combining? and Building Sentences With Participial Phrases.)
As with any sentence-combining exercise, feel free to combine sets (to create a longer sentence) or to make two or more sentences out of one set (to create shorter sentences). You may rearrange the sentences in any fashion that strikes you as appropriate and effective.
Several sentences in the original paragraph contain participial phrases, and the portion of each sentence below that may be turned into a participial phrase is printed in italics. After you have completed this exercise, compare your sentences with those in the original paragraph on page two. That said, keep in mind that many combinations are possible, and in some cases you may prefer your own sentences to the original versions.
A Slippery Thief
- Carlo Colodi parked his car outside a bank in Milan, Italy, and then dashed inside.
He dashed inside with a revolver in his hand and a scarf.
The scarf was hiding his face. - He hit his foot on the corner of a mat.
He slid across the marble floor. - His scarf dropped off, and, as he fell, he accidentally fired his revolver.
When his scarf dropped off, his face was revealed. - He scrambled to his feet.
He ran to the cashier's desk, skidded wildly, and grabbed at a counter.
He grabbed at a counter to keep his balance. - He dropped his gun in the process.
The entire bank rocked with laughter. - He was offended by this lack of appreciation.
The man turned.
The man ran.
The man slipped again.
The man finally crawled out of the bank. - Outside he found a police officer.
The officer was writing out a ticket for his car.
His car was parked in a no-waiting zone.
After you have completed this exercise, compare your sentences with those in the original paragraph on page two.
