what does where in this sentence mean?

[o_cat]

The attacks on ambition are many and come from various angles; its public defenders are few and unimpressive, where they are not extremely unattractive.

what does where in this sentence mean?
Why the author use where here?

Thanks!

 

[RonBee]

The attacks on ambition are many and come from various angles; its public defenders are few and unimpressive, where they are not extremely unattractive.

The word where can be seen as a substitution for a longer phrase, thus:

• The attacks on ambition are many and come from various angles; its public defenders are few and unimpressive in the instances in which they are not extremely unattractive.

In other words, the author is saying that those (public defenders of ambition) who are not extremely unattractive are few and unimpressive.

Does that help?

 

[Tdol]

It's a good sentence- a fine piece of nastiness. ;-)

 

[o_cat]

The attacks on ambition are many and come from various angles; its public defenders are few and unimpressive, where they are not extremely unattractive.

The word where can be seen as a substitution for a longer phrase, thus:

• The attacks on ambition are many and come from various angles; its public defenders are few and unimpressive in the instances in which they are not extremely unattractive.

In other words, the author is saying that those (public defenders of ambition) who are not extremely unattractive are few and unimpressive.

Does that help?

Thank you, Ron!
You're always very helpful.

It's a good sentence- a fine piece of nastiness.

And I have the same idea.

 

[o_cat]

It's a good sentence- a fine piece of nastiness. ;-)

But what does a fine piece of nastiness. mean? :? :wink:

 

[RonBee]

It's a good sentence- a fine piece of nastiness. ;-)

But what does a fine piece of nastiness. mean? :? :wink:

Tdol is talking about the way the author insulted the group of people he was talking about, calling them unimpressive and extremely unattractive. That's what Tdol meant by a fine piece of nastiness. You wouldn't want to be called extremely unattractive, would you?

:wink:

 

[o_cat]

It's a good sentence- a fine piece of nastiness. ;-)

But what does a fine piece of nastiness. mean? :? :wink:

Tdol is talking about the way the author insulted the group of people he was talking about, calling them unimpressive and extremely unattractive. That's what Tdol meant by a fine piece of nastiness. You wouldn't want to be called extremely unattractive, would you?

:wink:

sure. :wink: