Textbook in Japan "which" vs. "in which" vs. "when"
A test question from a textbook in Japan has the following sentence to be corrected:
"World War II ended in 1945, which his father was born." (The underlined word is to be changed/corrected.)
A Japanese teacher asked me (I am a native English speaker and teacher) why the correct word for the underlined word "which" should be "when" rather than "in which". I could not give a clear answer, other than "in which" seems to me to possibly be "within a period of time" (such as "at sometime within World War II") due to the word "in"; and "when" seemed to indicate only "the year 1945." However, if someone can give a clearer linguistic reason (technical explanation) that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Top answer
I can see no greater reason than that '1945' is a time. Chicago, where/in which I was born. 'When': at what time: to know when to be silent.
- I can see no greater reason than that '1945' is a time.
- Chicago, where/in which I was born.
- 'When': at what time: to know when to be silent.
- at the time or in the event that: when we were young; when the noise stops.
- It can be a period of time, but that depends on the specific action.
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I can see no greater reason than that '1945' is a time.
...1945, when I was born
...Chicago, where/in which I was born.
'When':
at what time: to know when to be silent.
at the time or in the event that: when we were young; when the noise stops.
It can be a period of time, but that depends on the specific action. Birt
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