Conditional or indicative mood or Idiom - If you don't mind, Would you do something?

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
#1

Hi

Nowadays I have been learning conditionals and subjunctives.

https://www.usingenglish.com/forum/threads/285524-If-she-lt-finishes-gt-early-she-lt-WOULD-gt-phone-me

Anyway, according to the link, when I say something with first type conditional, I cannot use “would” modal verb in a main clause. Except for “would”, I can use other modal verbs like this.

If she < finishes > early, she < can/could, may/might, should, must, ought to > phone me.

.

However, how can I understand the under sentences?
• If you don’t mind, would you hold on a second?
• if you don’t mind, I would like to ask you a few questions

As you can see, 〈If clause〉 is NOT unreal and hypothetical. Rather, 〈If clause〉 is possible condition so I believe it is first type conditional…
According to the feedback from link, “would” cannot be used in main clauses.

Do I understand them as idiomatic pattern?

For your reference;

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#2

These are ways of expressing politeness.

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#3

Thanks for your reply.
Ah~ha… It is an exceptional case against conditionals or another usage of “would”?

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#4

Strictly speaking is a conditional. (Would you mind if I asked you…).

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#5

Thanks~! :slight_smile: yeap I know it.
The only thing I am curious about is my first questions. :slight_smile:
Because the above mentioned structures(=expressing politeness) are different to the ones described in grammars.

■ These are ways of expressing politeness
• If you don’t mind, would you hold on a second?
• if you don’t mind, I would like to ask you a few questions

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#6

‘Would’ has many functions. You can use it as the past tense of ‘will’ -
We said we would meet him tomorrow.
As a conditional -
If you went by train, we would meet you at the station.
As a polite request-
Would you close the door?
As a way to express a repeated action in the past -
As children we would watch television after homework
As a model auxiliary suggesting ‘like to’ or ‘want to’.
Would you come for a drink with me?

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