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Hello, everyone,

“The polar area graph presented a great deal of information about the causes of death of British soldiers in Crimea at a glance. Each of the twelve sectors displayed on the graph represented a different month. ... Nightingale’s efforts resulted in a sharp drop in deaths caused by contagious diseases. This can be seen on the graph in the months where the blue section nearly disappears.” (from; our local text book)

In the underlined part above I’m not sure if the preceding noun for ‘where’ is ‘the graph in the months’ or ‘the months’, while I’m inclined to the former. By the way, if we consider 'the months' the preceding one for ‘where’, I assume 'when' might be fitter to this context, since 'where' usually refers to the general place. Of course, if the preceding one is 'the monthly sectors', I feel 'where' would be more natural.

You can see the graph used by Nightingale on the web below; https://www.pinterest.co.kr/pi...7466137130/?mt=login

Would appreciate your valuable opinions.

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To begin with, it must be made clear that the word "where" refers back to "the graph" rather than "months."    "Where" is sometimes used as "in which."  This practice has not been fully accepted until quite recently. " Where can be used in defining clauses after words such as situation, stage, case, example, etc.

For example:  a)  Show me an example where increasing supply has actually increased demand.   b)  Sometimes the discussion degenerates into a situation where each person accuses the other of being illogical.  (from American Heritage Dictionary.)

Usage: It was formerly considered incorrect to use where as a substitute for in which after a noun which did not refer to a place or position, but this use has now become acceptable: we now have a situation where/in which no further action is needed.  (Quoted from Collins English Dictionary)
@f6pafd posted:

To begin with, it must be made clear that the word "where" refers back to "the graph" rather than "months."    "Where" is sometimes used as "in which."  This practice has not been fully accepted until quite recently. " Where can be used in defining clauses after words such as situation, stage, case, example, etc.

Hello, f6pafd, appreciate your explanation, which is, I remember, the second one to me. By the way, can I ask you if you speak American English or British one?

Hi, Deepcosmos and f6pafd,

@f6pafd posted:

To begin with, it must be made clear that the word "where" refers back to "the graph" rather than "months."  

I'd just want to clarify that, as I see it, "where" refers to "the months (as shown/as they appear on the graph)." "In the months" is not a time adverbial in the text but instead refers to a graphical representation of a period.

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