獨立主格結構主要表示謂語動詞發生的時間、原因、條件或伴隨情況等，相當于一個狀語從句或并列句。

1. 用作時間狀語The work done (=After the work had been done), we went home. 工作完成后，我們就回家了。

2. 用作條件狀語Weather permitting (=If weather permits), they will go on an outing to the beach tomorrow. 如果天氣允許的話，他們將在明天組織一次海濱小游。

3. 用作原因狀語An important lecture to be given tomorrow (=As an important lecture will be given tomorrow), the professor has to stay up late into the night. 因為明天要發表一個重要的演講，教授不得不熬夜到很晚。

4. 用作伴隨狀語He was lying on the grass, his hands crossed under his head (=and his hands were crossed under his head).他躺在草地上，兩手交叉枕在腦后。

表示補充說明一個獵人走了進來，他的臉凍得通紅We redoubled our efforts, each man working like two. 我們加倍努力，一個人干兩個人的活。注：獨立主格結構表示時間、條件或原因時，相當于一個狀語從句，一般放在句首，表示原因時還可放在句末;表伴隨狀況或補充說明時，相當于一個并列句，通常放于句末。