Grammaropolis
The Sentence Factory

Clauses

A clause has its own subject and predicate. An independent clause is a whole sentence; a dependent clause needs to lean on one.

Start the lesson →

Preview how it deepens, Grades 5 through 8.

independent + dependent See it · tap a half
Try it on the line

Build one yourself.

Pick one chip at each station and snap them together. The Mayor inspects the finished sentence, a quick taste of how the parts combine.

1 · the independent clause (stands alone)

2 · the dependent clause (leans on it)

3 · The Mayor inspects
Anchor a dependent clause to one that stands alone.
✓ Independent plus dependent · approved
Keep going in the Arcade · free, plays daily
Sentence Surgeon · revising sentences
Sentence Surgeon

A change order drops: make it plural, give it an adverb, swap in a pronoun. Re-tool the sentence and roll it back onto the line.

Play Sentence Surgeon →
Garbage Sentences · syntax vs. meaning
Garbage Sentences

Slang builds a sentence that follows every rule of grammar and still means nonsense. Catch which rule he really broke, and let the Mayor judge.

Play Garbage Sentences →
Watch for

A dependent clause cannot stand alone.

Fragment

This clause has a subject and a predicate, but because makes it lean on another clause. Alone, it leaves you waiting for the rest.

Joined

Attach the boxed dependent clause to an independent clause and the thought finishes.

The crew on this station

The characters host. The sentence is the star.

Connie portrait
Connie
works the line
Roger portrait
Roger
works the line
The Mayor portrait
The Mayor
inspects the sentence
What you'll learn

The same concept, deeper every grade.

Clauses runs the length of the Factory, Grades 5 through 8. The lesson meets the standard at each grade, across all four frameworks.

Grade 5 A clause has its own subject and predicate. An independent clause is a whole sentence; a dependent clause needs to lean on one. CCSS L.5.1
Grade 6 A clause is a subject plus a predicate. Independent clauses stand alone; dependent clauses lean on a main clause and do a job (adverb, noun, or adjective). CCSS L.6.1
Grade 7 A clause is a subject plus a predicate. Independent clauses stand alone; dependent clauses lean on a main clause and do a job (adverb, noun, or adjective). CCSS L.7.1.A · CCSS L.7.1.C
Grade 8 A clause is a subject plus a predicate. Independent clauses stand alone; dependent clauses lean on a main clause and do a job (adverb, noun, or adjective). CCSS L.8.1