Why dependent clauses stand on its own?

Dependent clauses, by definition, cannot stand on their own. They are called "dependent" because they rely on an independent clause to provide the complete meaning of a sentence.

Here's why:

* They lack a complete thought: Dependent clauses contain a subject and a verb, but they express an incomplete idea. They leave the reader wanting more information.

* They act as modifiers: Dependent clauses often function as adjectives or adverbs, modifying the main idea expressed in the independent clause.

* They create a grammatical connection: They connect to the independent clause using conjunctions like "because", "although", "since", "while", etc.

Example:

* Dependent clause: "Because I was tired"

* Independent clause: "I went to bed early."

The dependent clause "because I was tired" provides a reason for the action described in the independent clause "I went to bed early." It doesn't make sense on its own.

In summary: Dependent clauses are like puzzle pieces that need to be connected to an independent clause to form a complete picture. They add detail and complexity to sentences but cannot stand alone as complete thoughts.