What is Would you mind? How to Use Would you mind

To express a polite request, a question, or to ask for someone’s opinion in English, we often use Would you mind or Do you mind. So how do we use Would you mind accurately? Let’s refer to the definitions, formulas, usages, and detailed exercises below!

I. What is Would you mind?

The structure Would you mind /wʊd juː maɪnd/ is used with meanings such as polite permission, requests, suggestions, or sometimes commands. The Would you mind meanings are:

• Would you mind means polite permission. Here are some Would you mind examples:

  • Would you mind if I increased the volume of the music? 

  • Would you mind if I took my cat with us in your vehicle? 

• Would you mind means requests, suggestions. Here are some Would you mind examples:

  • Would you mind waiting for me for 5 minutes? 

  • Would you mind going outside to smoke? 

• Would you mind means commands with a frustrated attitude. Here are some Would you mind examples:

  • Would you mind being quiet? I'm trying to concentrate. 

  • Would you mind hurrying up? We are late! 

II. How to use Would you mind

Here are the most common formulas and usages of Would you mind compiled by PREP:

1. Would you mind for polite requests

If you want to ask for permission or seek the opinion of the listener politely, you can use Would you mind if. The specific formula is:

Do you mind + if + S + V(s,es)

Would you mind + if + S + V(ed)/V2

For example:

• Do you mind if I borrow your cup?

• Would you mind if I borrowed your cup? 

 2. Would you mind for requests, opinions, orders, or suggestions

Additionally, if you want to make a request or ask someone’s opinion, you can use the structure Would you mind as follows:

Would/Do you mind + (S) + V-ing

For example:

• Would/Do you mind I using your computer to finish my work? 

• Would you mind I borrowing your lipstick?

• Would you mind keeping silent, I have a headache? 

 3. Notes on Using Would/Do you mind grammar

• Do you mind meaning is similar to Would you mind; however, Would you mind carries a more polite and formal tone compared to Do you mind. Therefore, Would you mind is often used more frequently.

• Many people wonder about the confusion about using Would you mind gerund or infinitive. Remember that after Would you mind, you should use “V-ing”, not "to V".  For example:

  • Correct sentence: Would you mind I borrowing your backpack? 

  • Incorrect sentence: Would you mind I to borrow your backpack?

• Would you mind is used with verbs in the past tense when meaning to ask for permission politely, while Do you mind goes with verbs in the present tense.For example: 

  • Would you mind if I stayed the night at your place? 

  • Do you mind if I stay the night at your place? 

• The structures Would/Do you mind are commonly used in spoken language and everyday communication, less so in writing.

III. How to Respond to Would/Do you mind Questions in English

Here are some ways to respond to Would you mind sentence that you should know:

For example: 

• Would you mind if I have dinner in your bedroom? - I’d rather you didn’t. 

• Do you mind if I use your computer? - Not at all. 

IV. Dialogue samples with Would/Do you mind

To communicate effectively in English using Would you mind or Do you mind, don’t miss some sample dialogues in the table below!

V. Equivalent structures to Would you mind

Additionally, check out some equivalent structures to Would you mind so you can use them flexibly in conversation and in English exercises, reducing unnecessary repetition:

VI. Exercises on Would you mind

Try the following exercises to better understand how to use the Would you mind in English!

Exercise 1: Choose the correct answer

1. Would you mind if I_____ the study room door now?

• A. close

• B. closed

• C. closing

• D. to close

2. It is so cool. Would you mind_____ the fan?

• A. turn off

• B. turning off

• C. to turn off

• D. turned off

3. Would you mind_____ I borrowed your computer?

• A. if

• B. that

• C. when

• D.  Ø

4. Would you mind _____ the bedroom window and bathroom window?

• A. to close

• B. about closing

• C. closed

• D.  closing

5. Would you mind if I ­____________ your birthday party tonight? 

• A. didn’t join

• B. join

• C. joined

• D.  to join

Exercise 2: Conjugate the verbs in parentheses

1. Would you mind if I ­____________ late evening? (come)

2. Would you mind ­____________ money for me? (send)

3. Would you mind Tom’s ­____________ this show here? (watch)

4. Do you mind if you ­____________ down the radio, it is so noisy? (turn)

5. Would you mind if you (take care) _______________ of the cat and dog when I have a trip?

Answer:

• Exercise 1: 1. B. closed – 2. B. turning off - 3. A. if - 4. D. closing - 5. A. didn’t join

• Exercise 2: 1. came - 2. sending - 3. watching - 4. turn - 5. took care

The above is a comprehensive overview of the Would you mind in English. I wish you success in mastering this grammar knowledge for effective English communication. Let’s continue to explore more useful information every day, Preppies!