html - what is the usage of HTML5 figure with img

Question

Is there any specific advantage/usage of using HTML5 <figure> over <img>?

I think <figure> is useless without <figurecaption>, isn't it?

It will be helpful if explain with an example.

question from:https://stackoverflow.com/questions/12453586/what-is-the-usage-of-html5-figure-with-img

Answer 1

Images are not technically inserted into an HTML page, images are linked to HTML pages. The <img> tag creates a holding space for the referenced image.

While the content of the <figure> element is related to the main flow, its position is independent of the main flow, and if removed it should not affect the flow of the document

From http://dev.w3.org/

The img element represents an image. and the The figure element represents a unit of content, optionally with a caption, that is self-contained, that is typically referenced as a single unit from the main flow of the document, and that can be moved away from the main flow of the document without affecting the document’s meaning.