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