Just wondering if you'd say the following instead because I wouldn't.
[1] Would you mind opening the window for me?
- You wouldn't say instead, "Do you mind ...?" would you?
[2] Do you mind if I smoke here?
- You wouldn't say instead, "Would you mind ...?" would you?
Thanks for your input.
Best,
Hiro
Top answer
The 'would you' form is more polite. It's commonly used. 'Do you mind' sounds more like a command, whereas 'Would you mind' sounds like a request.
— Nona the brit
The 'would you' form is more polite.
It's commonly used.
'Do you mind' sounds more like a command, whereas 'Would you mind' sounds like a request.
'Do you mind' can also be used as a criticism of someone's behaviour - 'do you mind not smoking while I am eating' would normally be said by someone who is quite cross about the smoking.
It can be almost sarcastic in use.
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The 'would you' form is more polite. It's commonly used.
'Do you mind' sounds more like a command, whereas 'Would you mind' sounds like a request.
'Do you mind' can also be used as a criticism of someone's behaviour - 'do you mind not smoking while I am eating' would normally be said by someone who is quite cross about the smoking. It can be almost sarcastic in use.
I wouldn't recommend using that sentence ("Do you mind opening the window for me?") in order to make a request. It doesn't really sound like a request and could well come across as rude.