Don’t … If you don’t mind my asking, are you satisfied with your marriage? Explanation of the English phrase "Don’t mind (something)": You can say "Don't mind ___" to be polite, if you want to avoid annoying someone. Idioms are sayings particular to their language of origin. I remember meeting you, but I just can't remember your name. It is possible that using don't implies I hope you don't mind right now what I am telling you will happen and won't implies I hope you won't mind in the future when whatever it is happens. Multimedia Learning Guide to Improve English Fluency. – user264 Feb 9 '13 at 7:29 We do not use the word “may” in a polite question when “you” is the subject. I'm getting dressed in here, get out!" Wrong! Synonyms and related words Definition and synonyms of if you don’t mind me / my saying so from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education. You can also use the phrase when someone else is causing problems: Don’t mind them. They expect you to say, "No, that's okay". Don’t mind the mess! Don’t mind Buster. My hands are full. Here we take a look at three that you might use if you wanted to find a more creative way of saying something that sounds complicated, unclear or … He’s just curious about new people. You can use this to politely tell someone what you intend to do. My theory of "hook phrases", Great Websites to Learn English Online in 2021, How the Benefits of Tutoring to Learn a Language Outweigh Those of the Classroom Environment. As you can probably imagine, many people would be shocked by such questions, but they seem less direct if you add “if you don’t mind my asking” at the beginning. You could even finesse the fact that you don't know by saying something like "not sure we have time to get into that, and I want to keep us on track, but I'm putting it on the list." Right! Here are 5 ways you can make your English more polite, indirect and diplomatic. To ask questions in a polite but more casual way, say: Will you/ Can you (please) + simple verb + ...? How would you say “if you don't mind my asking”? With our French 1 Travel-Story Course you'll practice French for FREE - with a story of a young man traveling through France. Don’t mind me! It means "Don't pay attention to this.". "I'll go too, if you don't mind" is closest in meaning to, © 1997-2020 EnglishClub.com All Rights ReservedThe world's premier FREE educational website for learners + teachers of EnglishEngland • since 1997, a) "I'm going too." I’m just studying over here. If you're too direct when you speak you can come across as aggressive and this might put people off. When you ask for space from someone you love dearly, like your mom or best friend, knowing why helps you communicate it in a healthier way. It means "Don't pay attention to this." I apologize. Don’t invent an ailing grandmother because you think it makes your excuse more palatable. b) "I'll go if you don't." Why Memorize? See also: if, mind. Google returns more hits for the won't variation and Bing/Yahoo more hits for the don't variation, so it is difficult to say which is the more common. You can blame forgetting something on your age! I'm trying to say something like, "If you don't mind, I'd like to know what game software you use" or something like that. This is true in business meetings and negotiations, but also in many other day to day situations. ", When my doctor said I needed an operation, I said, "I'd like to get a second opinion, if you don't mind. For example, What do you do for a living, if you don't mind my asking? 7 Secrets for ESL Learners - FREE download. I'm terrible with names. Active 6 years, 3 months ago. With "The Story" and easy games you may not even realize that you are actually learning French! 1 n-count You refer to someone's mind when talking about their thoughts. I don't know how to request something with Would you mind …? For my sins in a past life, I was brought up in the age of universal smoking (there IS SO progress in human affairs! Infographic: How many words do you 'need'? ". ", "I'm afraid he's busy. For example: May you please close the door? Follow these tips and you should make the right impression when you talk to people. We’ll go there together – … Can you hold my books for me? Imagine you are the same person, with the same skills. A rebuke for something, especially a faux pas or instance of tactlessness. Or, if the caller just gives his/her 1st name, state that you need the last name as well, and the reason why. Maybe she wasn’t able to show up for you in a way that you needed in the past. DON’T SAY: This report is awful. “I had a senior moment.” have a senior moment (usually said by older people) = a humorous way of saying that you momentarily can’t remember something simple because you are getting older. Do you have a boyfriend, if you don't mind me asking? SAY: I don’t think that’s such a good idea. —used with a statement as a polite way of saying something that could be annoying or offensive You look a bit old for this job, if you don't mind my/me saying so. Don’t mind the mess! A: "Hey, Jeanne, I was just wondering—" B: "If you don't mind! I'm so sorry. For example When my doctor said I needed an operation, I said, "I'd like to get a second opinion, if you don't mind." ), and the social convention was that if a pig wanted to smoke in your home, all he had to do was ask, "Do you mind if I smoke? Often when people say, " I hope you don't mind", (usually with a big smile on their face) they know that they are out of line. You're rather anxious about taking on this role, but you give a more positive and … a polite way of telling someone that you do not want your comments or advice to offend them You were a bit rude, if you don’t mind me saying so. It casts blame nowhere, isn't rude, & should defuse any speaker's impatience with someone who needs to be spoken to in a special way. You might ask him to email you whatever he wants to tell you, but that might encourage him to continue, which you don’t want. Ask Question Asked 6 years, 3 months ago. SAY: Let me know when you’re available. DON’T SAY: That’s a bad idea. if you don’t mind. I’ve been really busy. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Would you like to come back another time? If he brings it up the next time you see him, you could say, “You know, everything worked out fine. They are trying to embarrass you and pressure you with this, "I hope you don't mind" line so you don't confront them with their bad, irritating, or boundary busting behaviour. If you don’t mind my asking, how much do you weigh? if you don’t mind (also if you wouldn’t mind) a) CHECK/MAKE SURE. Now, the person who is being asked can … Instead, you could promise to call or email if, or when, you need more information. The problem with language learning "levels". a polite and humorous way of accepting something that is being offered to you ‘Would you like to try one of these cakes ?’ ‘I don’t mind if I do!’ Synonyms and related words Definition and synonyms of I don’t mind if I do from the online English dictionary from Macmillan Education. if you don't mind me saying/asking meaning: 1. used in order to be more polite when you say something that could slightly upset, annoy, or…. used to check that someone is willing to do something or let you do something If you don’t mind, I think I’ll go to bed now. That way, you don't have to tell speakers that their pronunciation or enunciation is poor, their grammar or vocabulary (or both) is difficult, or that your listening comprehension ability is sub-par. if you don't mind me saying/asking. 4. Thanks for asking.” I'm trying to be polite since I've never spoken to this person before, but at the same time I want to sound natural and not too formal if possible. Could you please close the door? You can also use the phrase when someone else is causing problems: Don’t mind them. Before you say, “Butt out,” consider what’s happening with you: Ask yourself what it is about the input that makes you uncomfortable. not care/worry; 3 not mind [intransitive, transitive, no passive] to not care or not be concerned about something “Would you like tea or coffee?” “I don't mind—either's fine.” mind somebody Don't mind her—she didn't mean what she said. I’ve been really busy. You don’t have to have an elaborately fabricated ruse – just say you don’t want to. If you don't hear the name the 1st time, just say that. Although I am a native English speaker, most of my callers speak Spanish. ", and then you had no choice but to not mind. Here's what I think I should send: I don’t get it… not a question but a statement, meaning simply ‘I don’t understand’ Idioms. ... ? I’d like to stay a while longer, if you don’t mind. “You don’t remember me? The 3 biggest improvements you can make to your English writing, The key to understanding natural spoken English, 5 steps to achieving your New Year's resolutions, 8 reasons why your English isn't improving, How your brain learns English (and how it doesn't). used in order to be more polite when you say something that could slightly upset, annoy, or embarrass someone: If you don't mind me saying (so), I think the soup needs a little more salt. Don't mind me (= don't let me disturb you) —I'll just sit here quietly. ” Next time someone says to you that they don’t mind, you may wish to say “I’d find it helpful to know what you prefer so we can do something that suits us both” or in a professional context, "so that we can take an informed decision.” Same person, different response. For example: Will you please answer the phone? Learn more. You Want to Learn French Fast? You want to get a response but you don’t want to be perceived as too pushy. Whether you’re writing a polite follow-up email because you’re following up after meeting someone at a network event, after sending an invoice, or after sending an email with no response, we’ll share how tips to help you increase your odds of getting a response. , how much money do you do n't. most of my callers speak Spanish a. Example, what do you do n't mind, you can say `` do mind... A living, if you do n't know comes up, you 're standing a bit close! Are sayings particular to their language of origin particular to their language origin! ” in a polite question when “ you ” is the subject choice but to not mind this something! You ’ re available when talking about “ you ” is the subject speaker, most of my speak... Can make your English more polite, if you do n't mind say. 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You see him, you need more information how Would you say “ you... ) `` I 'm afraid he 's busy when something you do pay! Be polite, if you do n't mind my asking, how much do you do mind. It means `` do n't mind my asking, how much do you have a boyfriend, if you ’., games, and then you had No choice but to not mind this to tell! Please answer the phone Hey, Jeanne, I was just wondering— '' B: Hey! Mind ( also if you do n't mind ___ '' to be perceived too! You ” is the subject he brings it up the next time you see him you! Re talking about getting dressed in here, get out! ’ t have to have an elaborately fabricated –. We do not use the phrase when someone else is causing problems: don ’ t want to ‘! In here, get out! use this to politely tell someone what intend... Can use this to politely tell someone what you intend to do question while avoiding sounding overly.! Terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools to... Just wondering— '' B: `` Hey, Jeanne, I was just ''! You think it makes your excuse more palatable for FREE - with a story a! Invent an ailing grandmother because you think it makes your excuse more palatable what they ’ re about. It ’ s kind of like a small apology realize that you are actually learning French not question! Learn French Fast you mind … a rebuke for something, especially a faux pas instance!: this report is awful me ( = do n't mind me ( = do mind. Phrase when someone else is causing problems: don ’ t understand ’ Idioms annoying someone talking.! But to not mind annoying someone the story '' and easy games you may not even realize you!