Subordinating conjunctions

[wench]

"Subordinating conjunctions join unequal elements. A subordinating conjunction joins a clause that can't stand alone to a clause that can.

We will discontinue research in this area unless the results of the experiment are promising.

The clause begins with unless cannot stand alone; it is subordinate to, or dependent on, the independent clause We will discontinue research in this area."

I can't see why the results of the experiment are promising can't stand alone- there is a subject and there is a verb, it is a complete sentence.

What does "subordinate" here mean?

Thanks.

[ponpoco256]

"Subordinating conjunctions join unequal elements. A subordinating conjunction joins a clause that can't stand alone to a clause that can.
We will discontinue research in this area unless the results of the experiment are promising.
The clause begins with unless cannot stand alone; it is subordinate to, or dependent on, the independent clause We will discontinue research in this area."
I can't see why[I]the results of the experiment are promising can't stand alone- there is a subject and there is a verb, it is a complete sentence.
What does "subordinate" here mean? Hello Wench

You are right. The explanation is a bit misleading. I think the following is better:

A subordinate clause is usually introduced by a subordinating element such as a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun. It depends on the rest of the sentence for its meaning. It does not express a complete thought, so it does not stand alone. It must always be attached to a main clause that completes the meaning.

ponpoco

[Rusty]

"Subordinating conjunctions join unequal elements. A subordinating conjunction joins a clause that can't stand alone to a clause that can.

We will discontinue research in this area unless the results of the experiment are promising.

The clause begins with unless cannot stand alone; it is subordinate to, or dependent on, the independent clause We will discontinue research in this area."

I can't see why the results of the experiment are promising can't stand alone- there is a subject and there is a verb, it is a complete sentence.

What does "subordinate" here mean?

Thanks.

The subordinate clause is "unless the results of the experiment are promising." This is not a complete sentence.