Where in the adverbial clause of place, in addition to referring to the location, it can also refer to the situation, etc.
Usage of adverbial clauses of place introduced by Where
1. Adverbial clauses of place introduced by Where can be placed at the end or at the beginning of the sentence, but the meanings expressed are different. . When the adverbial clause introduced by where is placed at the end of the sentence, it generally expresses the location; and when the adverbial clause introduced by where is placed at the beginning of the sentence, it has the meaning of contrast, condition or time.
① Where adverbial clause is at the end of the sentence: it expresses the location (or abstract location). When the location adverbial clause introduced by Where is placed at the end of the sentence, it modifies the predicate in the main clause and indicates the place where the action occurs.
eg. Hero worship is strongest where there is least regard for human freedom.
Hero worship is most prevalent where human freedom is least respected.
②The adverbial clause Where is at the beginning of the sentence: it contains a contrasting meaning. When the adverbial clause introduced by Where is placed at the beginning of the sentence, this clause and the main clause can semantically form a contrasting meaning.
eg. Where most people saw nothing but a hardened criminal, I saw a lonely and desperate man.
Many people saw nothing but a hardened criminal, but what I saw was He is a lonely and desperate man.
In this example, the content of the adverbial clause introduced by where is in sharp contrast with the following main clause, which reflects one of the semantic characteristics of the adverbial clause introduced by where when it is placed at the beginning of the sentence. 1 - Contrast meaning.
2. The adverbial clause Where is placed at the beginning of the sentence: it contains the meaning of condition. The adverbial clause introduced by Where is placed at the beginning of the sentence and can also express the meaning of condition.
eg.The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works, whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end.
Today, our problem is not the size of government, but whether government can work. , whether it can help every family find a job with a decent salary, whether it can provide them with affordable medical care and allow them to retire with dignity. Whichever plan can give a positive answer, we will move forward with that plan. Whichever plan gives a negative answer, we will choose to terminate.