BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

"When" Vs "in which"

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
Legendary Member
Posts: 1799
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 3:03 am
Thanked: 36 times
Followed by:2 members

"When" Vs "in which"

by goelmohit2002 » Sat Mar 07, 2009 10:58 am
Hi All,

For the below question, as per the explanation given in OG-11 for Q#59....

" "in which" and "when" can be used interchangeably in this sentence".

But as per my understanding "which"

a) generally refers to physical things or
b) as a middlemen as suggested by Manhattan.

Can somebody please tell, how "in which" is correct here when none of the above is the case. Are there specific cases when "in which" and "when" can be used interchangeably?

===================
His Studies of ice-polished rocks in his Alpine homeland, far outside the range of present day glaciers, led Louis Agassiz in 1857 to propose the concept of an age in which great ice sheets had existed in now currently temperate areas.

A. in which great ice sheets had existed in now currently temperate areas.
B. in which great ice sheets existed in what are now temperate areas.
C. when great ice sheets existed where there were areas now temperate.
D. when great ice sheets had existed in current temperate areas.
E. when great ice sheets existed in areas now that are temperate.

Thanks
Mohit
Top
Source: — Sentence Correction |
Legendary Member
Posts: 683
Joined: Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:58 pm
Location: Dubai
Thanked: 73 times
Followed by:2 members

by mals24 » Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:18 am
'which' and 'in which' are not the same. The addition of 'in' changes the meaning.

'in which' actually means 'inside which' or 'during which'
'in which' is used to define a location or a time period.
The era in which the church influenced the actions of the people.

'Which', on the other hand, as you pointed out refers to physical things or middleman. The table, which is 10 years old, belongs to my aunt. Here which refers to a physical thing table.

However in this question 'in which' refers to the age or defines the age during which the ice sheets existed.

Hence in this sentence 'in which' and 'when' can be used interchangeably because they both refer to a time period or a certain age in history.
Top
Legendary Member
Posts: 1799
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2008 3:03 am
Thanked: 36 times
Followed by:2 members

by goelmohit2002 » Sat Mar 07, 2009 11:40 am
Excellent explanation Mals. Thanks for the clarification.
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 49
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:58 am
Thanked: 3 times

by svishal1123 » Thu May 07, 2009 8:26 pm
I had another doubt in this question.

Why cannot existed be in Past Perfect tense (had existed)?

There is already a verb in the past tense in the sentence and the verb in question (exist) occurred much before that.
Top
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 49
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:58 am
Thanked: 3 times

by svishal1123 » Thu May 07, 2009 8:36 pm
And I have exactly the same doubt in question 75 from OG 11.

Any response is really appreciated. Thanks.

Question 75:

Salt Deposits and moisture threaten to destroy the Mohenjodaro excavation in Pakistan, the sie of an ancient civilization that flourished ( why not had flourished) at the same time as the civilizations in the Nile delta and the river valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates.[/b]
Top
Legendary Member
Posts: 1035
Joined: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:56 pm
Thanked: 104 times
Followed by:1 members

by scoobydooby » Thu May 07, 2009 8:47 pm
svishal1123,

past perfect is used for the earlier of two past events.

for Q75: The Mohenjodaro civilization and the Nile delta civilization are both past events that happened at the same time. so we cannot use the past perfect "had flourished". simple past is thus used.
Top
Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts
Posts: 113
Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:13 am
Location: New Jersey
GMAT Score:650

by KICKGMATASS123 » Fri May 08, 2009 11:49 am
What's the OA?

I think it's A based on the explanations..
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1