Sneha2021 wrote:
(A) phones, using their mobile phones for making long-distance calls at night or on weekends, at a time which
KarishmaBPlease help me to understand how to reject basis illogical meaning. How "at a time which" provides illogical meaning?
Thanks
Consider a simple example:
A can avoid B by doing C.
A can avoid B, doing C.
Which is better? The first sentence is clear in its meaning and it is the meaning we want to convey. The second sentence is not. The main clause seems incomplete and the relation of the modifier with the main clause is not clear.
Option (A) has the structure of the second sentence and hence it is not the best option.
To specify time, we use 'when.' When we want to talk about a particular point in time, we use 'when' as the relative pronoun. It can be replaced with 'then' in the modifying clause.
The time when you visited me was precious.
The time was precious. You visited me then.
We can replace 'when' with 'on which,' 'at which' or 'in which' as the case may be (though 'when' is direct and concise)
Examples:
The day on which you visited me was precious. (You visited me on that day)
The year in which you visited me was precious. (You visited me in that year)
The moment at which I saw you was memorable. (I saw you at that moment)
When we talk about the noun 'time,' we can use 'which'.
I will visit you some time in the future, a time which will be decided by my circumstances.
We need to replace 'which' with the noun 'time'. The time will be decided by my circumstances. We cannot replace it with 'then' here.
Hence, in our original sentence, the following two sentences will work:
... at night or on weekends, when many companies provide unlimited airtime.
many companies provide unlimited airtime then.
... at night or on weekends, a time at which many companies provide unlimited airtime. (less preferable)
many companies provide unlimited airtime at that time.
But this sentence will not work:
... at night or on weekends, at a time which many companies provide unlimited airtime.
Here, 'which' is replacing 'a time' not 'at a time.'
So it becomes 'many companies provide unlimited airtime a time' - Incorrect.
The preposition 'at' is a part of the previous clause. So something like this could work:
People can call at night, on weekends, or at a time at which many companies provide unlimited airtime.
though preferable would be
People can call at night, on weekends, or at a time when many companies provide unlimited airtime.