Conditionals exercise: suggested answers
"The patient has very delicate skin, which is why this accident happened"
= If the patient didn't have such delicate skin, this accident wouldn't have happened
"The masseur probably pushed too hard because he lacks experience with elderly patients"
=If the masseur didn't lack experience, he might not have pushed so hard
"The masseur should use more oil from now on to prevent such accidents"
=If the masseur would use more oil from now on, it would prevent such accidents
FOR THIS ONE, PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS A "WOULD" IN THE CONDITION CLAUSE. THIS USE OF "WOULD" MEANS "IF THE MASSEUR ACCEPTED..." OTHERWISE, NO "WOULD" IS ALLOWED IN THE CONDITION CLAUSE.
"To prevent such accidents, it is usually enough for the masseur to use more oil"
=Such accidents can usually be prevented if the masseur uses more oil
"This accident probably happened because the patient did not ask the masseur to be careful"
=If this accident has happened, the patient must not have asked the masseur to be careful (IN OTHER WORDS, "THE FACT THAT THIS ACCIDENT HAS HAPPENED MUST MEAN THAT THE PATIENT DID NOT ASK THE MASSEUR TO BE CAREFUL")
Suggested corrections for Reflections, p.29-30