Conditional sentence

Question

If we could ask for your cooperation, would you all please remain seated until your row has been called.”

The first conditional uses the present tense in the if clause and will + infinitive in the result clause, whereas the second conditional uses the past tense in the if clause and would + infinitive in the reulst clause.

But in this sentence, the if clause has could + infinitive, so which category does it fit into: first or second conditional?

Is there a site that explains all the variations of the conditional, such as the inclusion of various modal verbs?

Thank you

Toms Mathew · Accepted Answer

Hi,

I think it is in the first conditional only.

The site for 'if' clause that I know is : http://www.ego4u.com/en/business-english/grammar/conditional-sentences

Thank you.

CalifJim · Answer

English 1b3 If we could ask for your cooperation, would you all please remain seated until your row has been called. ... which category does it fit into: first or second conditional?

Neither. There are thousands of sentences with if that do not fall into one of the three named conditional types.

This example isn't even really a conditional semantically. There is no logical connection between the clauses. The second clause is in fact almost a repetition or explanation of the first. They paraphrase as "Please cooperate. Please remain seated until your row has been called". This is hardly the same kind of relationship as the one shown in If you go out in the rain, you will get wet.

English 1b3Is there a site that explains all the variations of the conditional, such as the inclusion of various modal verbs?

Not that I know of. Sorry. You are likely, however, to be able to find examples of almost every possible combination of tenses with and without modal verbs.

CJ

Conditional sentence

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