Nowadays I have been learning conditionals and subjunctives.
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.
Thanks~! yeap I know it.
The only thing I am curious about is my first questions.
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
‘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?
yeap I know it.