This is true in business meetings and negotiations, but also in many other day to day situations. I’m working. ". I don't know how to request something with Would you mind …? 4. You stole my phone!“ 7. 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. See also: if, mind. Idioms are sayings particular to their language of origin. Would you like to come back another time? If someone begins talking with ‘can I ask you a question ?’ that person feel some anxiety about asking you, and this is an attempt to calm things. It’s kind of like a small apology. —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. ... ? “You don’t remember me? 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. For example: May you please close the door? 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. if you don’t mind (also if you wouldn’t mind) a) CHECK/MAKE SURE. Multimedia Learning Guide to Improve English Fluency. Before you say, “Butt out,” consider what’s happening with you: Ask yourself what it is about the input that makes you uncomfortable. 7 Secrets for ESL Learners - FREE download. Then when something you don't know comes up, you can say "Great question. Let me refresh your memory. 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. Never tell yourself that you "know" an English word or phrase. You're rather anxious about taking on this role, but you give a more positive and … Active 6 years, 3 months ago. I’d like to stay a while longer, if you don’t mind. 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." Usually the other person will expect you to then say a little bit more, to explain why you agree with them or say … For example, What do you do for a living, if you don't mind my asking? 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. SAY: Let me know when you’re available. You can say "Don't mind ___" to be polite, if you want to avoid annoying someone. I’m just studying over here. 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. Viewed 4k times 7. 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. Could you please close the door? "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." Don’t mind me! Start studying If you don't mind could (you) Polite Questions. 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. If you don’t want to go to an event because you’ve had a rough week and you’d rather sit in bed watching Netflix – then say so. Ask Question Asked 6 years, 3 months ago. You don’t have to have an elaborately fabricated ruse – just say you don’t want to. Here's what I think I should send: Although I am a native English speaker, most of my callers speak Spanish. It’s kind of like a small apology. ", and then you had no choice but to not mind. “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. You can use this to politely tell someone what you intend to do. b) "I'll go if you don't." Don’t mind me! For example: Will you please answer the phone? I’ve been really busy. I'm really embarrassed. Instead, you could promise to call or email if, or when, you need more information. They expect you to say, "No, that's okay". If you don’t mind my asking, how much do you weigh? If you don’t mind my asking, how much money do you earn? He’s just curious about new people. 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. You can also use the phrase when someone else is causing problems: Don’t mind them. For example, if you say that something is in your mind, you mean that you are thinking about it, and if you say that something is at the back of your mind, you mean that you are aware of it, although you … Imagine you are the same person, with the same skills. Or, if the caller just gives his/her 1st name, state that you need the last name as well, and the reason why. Don’t mind Buster. 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…. Maybe she wasn’t able to show up for you in a way that you needed in the past. Do you have a boyfriend, if you don't mind me asking? I encounter this often. A: "Hey, Jeanne, I was just wondering—" B: "If you don't mind! ", When my doctor said I needed an operation, I said, "I'd like to get a second opinion, if you don't mind. You can blame forgetting something on your age! We do not use the word “may” in a polite question when “you” is the subject. Here are 5 ways you can make your English more polite, indirect and diplomatic. Don't mind me (= don't let me disturb you) —I'll just sit here quietly. 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. Right! I don’t get it… not a question but a statement, meaning simply ‘I don’t understand’ Idioms. 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. We’ll go there together – … You can use this to politely tell someone what you intend to do. if you don't mind me saying/asking. If he brings it up the next time you see him, you could say, “You know, everything worked out fine. Don’t mind the mess! The problem with language learning "levels". Don’t invent an ailing grandmother because you think it makes your excuse more palatable. I remember meeting you, but I just can't remember your name. They don’t know what they’re talking about. I’ve been really busy. If you don't mind, you're standing a bit too close to me. If you don’t mind my asking, are you satisfied with your marriage? ), 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? Would you mind lend me some money? I'm so sorry. 1 n-count You refer to someone's mind when talking about their thoughts. ", "I'm afraid he's busy. c) "I don't mind going. 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. If you don't hear the name the 1st time, just say that. I've forgotten your name. Now, the person who is being asked can … Infographic: How many words do you 'need'? They don’t know what they’re talking about. Don’t mind the mess! To ask questions in a polite but more casual way, say: Will you/ Can you (please) + simple verb + ...? 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 … How would you say “if you don't mind my asking”? 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. 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. ” 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. 2. It means "Don't pay attention to this.". 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. Comments on if you don't mind my/me saying so What made you want to look up if you don't mind my/me saying so? Can you hold my books for me? 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. I apologize. – user264 Feb 9 '13 at 7:29 This is something that is often said in English to politely ask a question while avoiding sounding overly intrusive. My hands are full. I'm terrible with names. Let's put it on the list for next week." 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. 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). DON’T SAY: This report is awful. Learn more. Don’t mind … With our French 1 Travel-Story Course you'll practice French for FREE - with a story of a young man traveling through France. I'm getting dressed in here, get out!" DON’T SAY: That’s a bad idea. A rebuke for something, especially a faux pas or instance of tactlessness. if you don’t mind. 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." 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. With "The Story" and easy games you may not even realize that you are actually learning French! You can also use the phrase when someone else is causing problems: Don’t mind them. For my sins in a past life, I was brought up in the age of universal smoking (there IS SO progress in human affairs! If you will please forgive me, I've forgotten your name. Follow these tips and you should make the right impression when you talk to people. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. You Want to Learn French Fast? It means "Don't pay attention to this." Thanks for asking.” Wrong! Why Memorize? If you want to build on what the other person is saying or make a point of your own, you are more likely to say something like, “I agree”, “me too” “I also think that” or “I feel that way too”. You want to get a response but you don’t want to be perceived as too pushy. Don’t … 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. I’m just studying over here. SAY: I don’t think that’s such a good idea. If you're too direct when you speak you can come across as aggressive and this might put people off. 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. 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Your English more polite, if you don ’ t mind my asking ”: how many words do have. Get a response but you don ’ t able to show up for you in polite. You know, everything worked out fine their thoughts polite, indirect and diplomatic 've forgotten your name me I! I was just wondering— '' B: `` if you don ’ t … 1 n-count you refer to 's! Overly intrusive close to me you may not even realize that you `` know '' an English or! Think that ’ polite way to say if you don't mind kind of like a small apology also use the word “ may ” a.