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clar · Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:11 am

Can somebody explain the usage of where and while in the following question --

Where once the union had acquiesced to the prejudices of its English-speaking members by supporting the imposition of an alien tax on immigrant workers, after 1897 the United Mine Workers made a determined effort to enlist Italians and Slavs in its ranks.

(A) Where once the union had acquiesced to the prejudices of its English-speaking members by supporting
(B) Where once the union acquiesced to it English-speaking members' prejudice for the support of
(C) While once the union had acquiesced to the prejudices of its English-speaking members in support of
(D) While once the union acquiesced to its English-speaking members' prejudice in supporting
(E) While once the union had acquiesced to the prejudices of its English-speaking members in its supporting of

Why is D not correct ?

OA - A

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kamalsinghy · Fri Jul 24, 2009 2:55 am

I already went through this question and got surprised to see the answer.

First I opted C-while+had+in support of. But after going someone's explanation, I was surprised. "where" can be treated as "whereas" to have the contrast. Since 'while' has two meanings : at the same time & even though.

If "while" means even though then it's fine to have C(contrast is shown properly), but if 'while' means at the same time, then the sentence would be illogical.

So answer is said to be A. (reluctant)

Option D is wrong because the subordinate clause is in past tense. It should be in past perfect tense to show the event that occurred from X time to 1897.

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karmayogi · Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:28 am

I also selected C only. Still not very convinced with the OA.

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gmat_dest · Sat Jul 25, 2009 7:04 am

I don't think we need the past perfect tense when the chronology of events is made clear by using 'before' or 'after'.

Hence I will go for D.

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clar · Sat Jul 25, 2009 8:48 am

The varied responses are confusing me..

Experts please pitch in..

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perfectstranger · Sat Jul 25, 2009 11:45 am

Count me on C

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nervesofsteel · Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:35 pm

A "by supporting " is the right idiom... union's acquiescence is shown by its action....

the union had acquiesced to X by supporting .....

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Beat-D-GMAT · Sat Jul 25, 2009 12:47 pm

Right option is A.

Initially I was also confused with how sentence should start- while or where Then I tried something different.

If there is "before" or "after" then sentence would have combination of perferct and simple tense.

Now if look for this combination then B and D are out.

Option C: ��..where ��. Members in support of .. is incorrect. Union has acquiesced �.bla bla �. by supporting is correct.

Option E: in its supporting not correct .

Hence A is best answer.

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gmat_2010 · Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:18 am

I chose 'A' because I needed a 'had' in the first clause and a 'by supporting' in the sentence.

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