Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Junkomama]

The period where /when Western systems and culture was adopted in Japan is called Meiji Restoration.

Which is used more often after "period" ,"age", or "times"?
Thank you in advance!

Junkomama

[lotus]

Hi Junkomama,

"Period" would be the most appropriate.

The period where Western culture and systems were adopted in Japan is called the Meiji Restoration/Era.


--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda

[rice07]

Hi Lotus

I think, if I may be so bold, Junkomama is asking which adverb(where or when) is used more often after 'period', 'age', or 'times' in a relative structure like the one he/she raised?

I am confused too why 'where' is used in this case rather than 'when'? Always pleased under your tutelage!

Sincerely

rice07

[Junkomama]

Hello. lotus-san.
I'm sorry that I could'nt make myself clear.
I wanted to ask, as rice07-san wrote, which adverb is better, where or when in my sentence.

Hello, rice07-san.
Thank you for explaining what I want to ask!

With regards,
Junkomama

[hiromi525]

Please allow me to join this subject, I am student though.
My American teacher used to teach me the following sentence.
Is there a day where you are not teaching in the evening.
I' m also confused why "where" can be used in this sentence.
I asked my classroom teacher the reason why but she just said American speaks that way.

Dear Junkomama and rice 07
I am really sorry if my posting interrupt your original question.
I hope my question will be on the right track.

[rice07]

Hi
Hardly a day has passed without me thinking deeply about the usage for ' where ' instead of ' when ' in this case since this subject came up. When looking up all the grammar books available, the usage was nowhere to be seen- perhaps I'm no widely-read enough man. I realize there's no book able to be all things to all people. Also, some current English usages are not necessarily included in some grammar books. Teacher might say- Why ask why? That's the way we said! It's not whether I end up getting the answer or not; it's my attitude towards how I deal with the questions I'm encountering. So, hope anyone out there familiar with the usage could give us some advice.

I have limited ability in knowledge of English, but my desire for exploring the new world of English is never ended, and I think anyone wouldn't disagree that the desire like that is the momentum for human to advance.

Sincerely

rice07

[pugachevV]

I would say When refers to time and where refers to place. Therefore when is the correct answer to the original question.

[lotus]

Hi all,

I've been extremely busy with some personal matters lately, therefore I haven't had time to respond.

It is true that sometimes native speakers cannot explain why they say things the way they do. It is also true that often we use grammar subconsciously without overtly understanding or realizing how we do it.

Sometimes things can't be explained, and sometimes they can (or at least we can try).

"The period where/when Western culture and systems were adopted in Japan is called the Meiji Restoration."

A period can be thought of as a length of time, such as an era -- or as time itself.

I went through a long period (time) of sleep.
There was period (era) when I slept a lot.

When it is an era, we think of it as a block of time. In this case, we treat it as a frozen place in time where events can happen.

There was a period in Chinese history where political instability caused a cultural revolution.

The Meiji Era was a period in Japanese history where the Japanese political system was dramatically changed to emulate much of the Western model.
http://www.bartleby.com/65/me/Meijires.html

We can, of course, think of a period as that of pure time.

The Cultural Revolution was a period in Chinese history when fear ruled the land.
http://www.bartleby.com/65/cu/Cultural.html

The Meiji Restoration was a period in Japanese history when Western culture and systems were adopted and used in Japan.

Invert and you have:
The period (time) when Western culture and systems were adopted and used in Japan was during the Meiji Restoration.

You can use period in either way and you would be correct. It depends on what you want to convey.

As a side note, we often use "period of":

The Cultural Revolution was a period of painful history for China.
The Meiji Restoration was a period of historical catharsis for Japan.


--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda

[rice07]