keannu
VIP Member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2010
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Korean
- Home Country
- South Korea
- Current Location
- South Korea
Source : Korean SAT English Reading 69p by Korea Education Broadcasting System
Some years ago in the United States, a woman named Linda Kenney nearly died when, prior to an operation, anesthesia was administered to her improperly. Her husband, understandably,wanted to sue the doctor and the hospital. Then the anesthesiologist wrote the couple a note expressing his regrets and grief. He told her, “Whenever you want to speak to me, I will make myself available. Here is my phone number.” The Kenneys later learned that the doctor did not inform the hospital or its lawyers of what he was doing. He knew that they would probably have forbidden him to contact the patient, because acknowledging his responsibility so frankly would put him and the hospital at great risk if the patient sued. The Kenneys were deeply moved by the doctor’s letter, and even more impressed when he came to their home and begged forgiveness. The couple ended up not pursuing a malpractice suit, and instead, in conjunction with the doctor, started a group to help both doctors and families deal with the trauma of medical and surgical errors.
Is the underlined presumption of the past or counterfactual conditional? It's kind of confusing.
Some years ago in the United States, a woman named Linda Kenney nearly died when, prior to an operation, anesthesia was administered to her improperly. Her husband, understandably,wanted to sue the doctor and the hospital. Then the anesthesiologist wrote the couple a note expressing his regrets and grief. He told her, “Whenever you want to speak to me, I will make myself available. Here is my phone number.” The Kenneys later learned that the doctor did not inform the hospital or its lawyers of what he was doing. He knew that they would probably have forbidden him to contact the patient, because acknowledging his responsibility so frankly would put him and the hospital at great risk if the patient sued. The Kenneys were deeply moved by the doctor’s letter, and even more impressed when he came to their home and begged forgiveness. The couple ended up not pursuing a malpractice suit, and instead, in conjunction with the doctor, started a group to help both doctors and families deal with the trauma of medical and surgical errors.
Is the underlined presumption of the past or counterfactual conditional? It's kind of confusing.
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