A puzzling question

Question

Find the mistake in the following sentence:

In which of these countries do some animals hibernate in winter?

I think it is error free. Am I right? Isn't it better to say : Where in these countries do some animals hibernate in winter?

Clive · Accepted Answer

In which of these countries do some animals hibernate in winter?

I think it is error free. Am I right? Yes, that's fine.

A typical answer would be eg Sweden, Canada and Chiae

Isn't it better to say : Where in these countries do some animals hibernate in winter? That's not better. It's just a different question. A typical answer would be

eg In the Noth.

eg In the forests.

CalifJim · Answer

Omar Ahmed
Find the mistake in the following sentence:
In which of these countries do some animals hibernate in winter?
I think it is error free. Am I right? Isn't it better to say : Where in these countries do some animals hibernate in winter?

You can say either one, and both are correct, but they ask different questions.

In the first sentence you are asked to choose from a list of countries only those countries where some animals hibernate in winter. That means that the list contains some countries where some animals hibernate in winter and some countries where no animals hibernate in winter. Both Canada and Tahiti may be on the list. Both Norway and Senegal may be on the list.

In the second sentence you are asked to name specific regions within each country on the list where some animals hibernate in winter. That means that the list contains only countries where some animals hibernate in winter. Countries like Tahiti or Senegal will not be on the list.

CJ

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