概念

一個正確的句子必須包含一個主謂結構。而在獨立主格中，不存在真正的主語和謂語，只有邏輯上的主語和謂語。

獨立主格的邏輯謂語由非謂語動詞構成。它主要有以下三個特點：

• 獨立主格結構的邏輯主語與句子的主語不是同一個，它獨立存在。
• 獨立主格結構的位置比較靈活，一般位於句首，也可以位於句尾。
• 獨立主格結構一般用逗號與句子隔開，與句子之間不使用任何連詞。

常見形式

不定式的獨立主格：

So much work to do, I will have to work overtime this Sunday.
So many letters to answer, the singer has to ask her assistant to help her.

現在分詞的獨立主格：

The rain having stopped, he went out for a walk.
The tour guide leading the way, we had no trouble getting out of the forest.

過去分詞的獨立主格：

The machine fixed, the worker found he colud do his work somoothly.
The students are listening attentively in class, their eyes fixed on the blackboard.

除此之外還有使用介詞短語、形容詞、副詞以及 There being + 名詞/代詞的結構。

句法功能

獨立主格可以表示謂語所發生的時間、原因等，理解成狀語。

The question settled, we went back to the office.
Weather permitting, the will go on an outing to the beach tomorrow.