Would you mind? Although this seems like a very simple phrase, it can get quite confusing. ‘Mind’ in this question means ‘to bother’. The tricky part is in the answer. No, it doesn’t bother me or yes, it does bother me.
ASKING FOR PERMISSION
This is an indirect way of asking for permission for something. It is quite commonly used in English. Pay special attention to the answers.
DO YOU MIND?
Do/Does (someone) mind + if + subject + present simple + ?
- Informal way to ask if something bothers you or makes you uncomfortable.
- Do you mind if I call you ‘Joe’? (Does it bother you if I call you ‘Joe’?)
- No, I don’t. (You can call me ‘Joe’.)
- Yes, I do. (I don’t want you to call me ‘Joe’.)
- Do you mind if I call you ‘Joe’? (Does it bother you if I call you ‘Joe’?)
| Do you mind if he comes? | Does it bother you/makes you uncomfortable if he comes? | Informal way to ask for permission. |
| No, I don’t. | He can come. | |
| Yes, I do. | I don’t want him to come. |
WOULD (someone) MIND?
Would (someone) mind + if + subject + present simple + ?
- Polite way to ask permission from someone, by asking if it bothers them.
- Would he mind if I use his phone? (Can I use his phone?)
- No, he wouldn’t. (You can use it.)
- Yes, he would. (He doesn’t want you to use it.)
- Would he mind if I use his phone? (Can I use his phone?)
| Would she mind if we met after class? | Does she want or can meet me after class? | Polite way to ask for permission. |
| No, she wouldn’t. | After class is fine to meet her. | |
| Yes, she would. | She doesn’t have time or doesn’t want to meet. |
Would (someone) mind if + past simple + ?
Would (someone) mind if + past simple + ?
- Would she mind if we didn’t go together?(Would it bother her if we went separately?)
- No, she wouldn’t. (We can go separately.)
- Yes, she would. (She would rather go together.)
| Would he mind if we arrived late? | Would it bother him if we arrive late? | Polite and Formal way to ask for permission. |
| No, he wouldn’t | It’d be fine if we didn’t get in time. | |
| Yes, he would. | He would be mad if we arrived late. |
Would (someone) mind + me/my + ing… ?
Would (someone) mind + me/my + ing… ?
- Would they mind me leaving early? (Will it bother them if I leave before expected?)
- No, they wouldn’t. (It is OK if you leave early.)
- Yes, they would. (They will not be happy if you leave early.)
REQUESTING HELP
We can also use this question form to politely request help from someone.
WOULD (someone) MIND + ING
WOULD (someone) MIND + ING?
- Would Carol mind picking up my daughter from school? (Can Carol/Does Carol want to get my daughter from school?)
- No, she wouldn’t. (She can get her.)
- Yes, she would. (She can’t or do not want to get her.)
ANSWERING YES OR NO
As you have seen in the previous examples, you can answer these types of questions with ‘Yes, I do/would’ or ‘No, I don’t/wouldn’t’. However, it’s quite common to use some of the following phrases as well.
NO
- Of course not
- Not a problem
- No, I can do it.
- Sorry, but I can’t
- I would, but I …
- It’s not that I m1nd, I just can’t.
English Grammar
Now that you have seen how to use the expression ‘Would you mind?’, take a look at our other English Grammar posts:
Grammar: Multi- Word Verbs
Grammar: Reflexive Pronouns
