Final answer:
The statement is false; an independent clause has both a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought, making it a complete sentence on its own.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that an independent clause has a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought is false. By definition, an independent clause has both a subject and a verb and can stand alone as a complete thought and thus, a complete sentence. An example of an independent clause is, 'Hand me that socket wrench.'
Dependent clauses, in contrast, cannot stand alone and do not express a complete thought without being attached to an independent clause. An example of a dependent clause is 'If you chase two rabbits,' which requires additional information to form a complete sentence.
To summarize, every independent clause is self-sufficient and expresses a complete thought, whereas dependent clauses rely on an independent clause to provide a full context.