What's the difference between an independent clause and a subordinate clause?

Teacher Xiao Bu will answer questions for the students. ˇ? ˇ? ), independent clauses are sentences that can exist independently. They contain subjects and predicates, and can express complete ideas. The subordinate clause can't exist independently, and it needs to rely on the main clause to express the complete meaning. Here is a table summarizing their basic knowledge, so you can have a brief understanding first:

After understanding their basic knowledge, let's look at their specific differences. ( )?

1, the difference of independence

Independent clauses are sentences that can exist independently. They contain subjects and predicates, and can express complete ideas. The subordinate clause can't exist independently, and it needs to rely on the main clause to express the complete meaning.

Example:

I like reading. I like reading. This is an independent clause because it can express the complete meaning independently.

Because I like reading. Because I like reading. This is a clause, which can't exist independently, and needs to rely on the main clause to express its complete meaning. )

2. The usage of conjunctions is different

Independent clauses can usually be connected by coordinate conjunctions (such as and, but, or), while subordinate clauses need to be guided by subordinate conjunctions (such as because, if, when).

Example:

I like reading and writing. I like reading and writing. This is an example of two independent clauses, which are connected by the coordinate conjunction and.

When I am free, I read a book. When I am free, I will read books. This is an example of a clause when.

3. Different sentence structures

Independent clauses can be made into sentences alone or combined with other independent clauses or clauses into complex sentences. A clause cannot be used as a sentence alone, but it must form a complex sentence with one or more independent clauses.

Example:

I like reading, but I don't have much free time. I like reading, but I don't have much free time. This is an example of a complex sentence composed of two independent clauses.

I read books because I like reading. I study because I like reading. This is an example of a clause, which forms a complex sentence with an independent clause.