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