Hello tyere!

Question

My friend came  into my flat. He asked: do you mind if I smoke? I answered: Yes, of course. I answered like this because my mother was not at home. Could I answer: my mother would rather you did not.

GPY · Accepted Answer

pupilMy friend came into my flat. He asked: do you mind if I smoke? I answered: Yes, of course.

This answer is somewhat ambiguous but may well be understood as giving permission to smoke. Is that what you intend?

pupilCould I answer: my mother would rather you did not.

Yes, but "did not" would usually be "didn't" in conversation.

Pupil · Answer

Yes, I intended to give him permission to smoke. Should I say: "I don't mind"?

Fivejedjon · Answer

Say "No. Go ahead" or something similar.

GPY · Answer

pupil Yes, I intended to give him permission to smoke. Should I say: "I don't mind"?

If you say it with a "giving permission" tone then "Yes, of course" would be understood correctly. You could also say "No, please go ahead" or "No, not at all".

BarbaraPA · Answer

Language issues aside, if your mother doesn't like it in the house then just say no. She'll smell it hours and hours after he leaves.

Robertenn · Answer

So, "Yes, of course," means of course I mind, as if he should already realize you want no smoking. "you might follow up with, What, are you dense?

Pupil · Answer

thanks to everyone who responded to my question)

Fivejedjon · Answer

Robertenn"you might follow up with, What, are you dense?

You might, however, to choose not to be offensive in this way.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Robertenn, What, are you dense?

Sure, you can say that if you want to insult your friend.
And you might well lose your friend if you insult them after they have politely asked if you mind their lighting up.

CalifJim · Answer

BarbaraPAShe'll smell it hours and hours after he leaves.

Nay, years. Women supposedly have a much more sensitive sense of smell. I've always assumed it's true.

CJ

Hello tyere!

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions