Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Ask a Teacher


Like Tree16Likes

Closed Thread
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29-Jul-2009, 03:34
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 324
Home Country: Japan
Native Language: Japanese
Current Location: Japan
Member Type: Other
Default Would you mind if I opened the window?

"Would you mind if I opened the window?" is found for the usage of the word "mind" in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. The dictionary explains that it is spoken and used when making a polite request.
In the same dictionary, "Would you mind if I open a window?" is also found for the usage of the word "mind."
Are these both acceptable and the same in meaning?
"Would you mind if I opened the window?"
"Would you mind if I open the window?"
  #2  
Old 29-Jul-2009, 06:10
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,892
Member Type: Student or Learner
Default Re: Would you mind if I opened the window?

Both are possible.
  #3  
Old 29-Jul-2009, 08:09
engee30's Avatar
Key Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,724
Home Country: Poland
Native Language: Polish
Current Location: Poland
Member Type: Other
Cool Re: Would you mind if I opened the window?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Snappy View Post
"Would you mind if I opened the window?" is found for the usage of the word "mind" in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. The dictionary explains that it is spoken and used when making a polite request.
In the same dictionary, "Would you mind if I open a window?" is also found for the usage of the word "mind."
Are these both acceptable and the same in meaning?
"Would you mind if I opened the window?"
"Would you mind if I open the window?"
Quote:
Originally Posted by svartnik View Post
Both are possible.
It's only either Would you mind if I opened the window? or Do you mind if I open the window? that is correct.
  #4  
Old 29-Jul-2009, 08:32
Raymott's Avatar
VIP Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 13,996
Home Country: Australia
Native Language: English
Current Location: Australia
Member Type: Academic
Default Re: Would you mind if I opened the window?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Snappy View Post
"Would you mind if I opened the window?" is found for the usage of the word "mind" in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. The dictionary explains that it is spoken and used when making a polite request.
In the same dictionary, "Would you mind if I open a window?" is also found for the usage of the word "mind."
Are these both acceptable and the same in meaning?
"Would you mind if I opened the window?"
"Would you mind if I open the window?"
I could only find one mention in the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English of this example under 'mind'. "Would you mind if I opened the window?"
Did you make a mistake in your question?

Anyhow, I agree with engee.
  #5  
Old 29-Jul-2009, 09:22
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,892
Member Type: Student or Learner
Default Re: Would you mind if I opened the window?

Both are possible, guys.

Would you mind if I opened the window?

http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...u-mind-if.html

http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...u-mind-if.html

Last edited by svartnik; 29-Jul-2009 at 09:27.
  #6  
Old 29-Jul-2009, 09:45
bhaisahab's Avatar
Moderator
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 14,866
Home Country: England
Native Language: British English
Current Location: England
Member Type: English Teacher
Default Re: Would you mind if I opened the window?

These links seem to prove one thing, that in AmE both are accepted by some, but are not necessarily acceptable to all.
  #7  
Old 29-Jul-2009, 09:49
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,892
Member Type: Student or Learner
Default Re: Would you mind if I opened the window?

Quote:
Originally Posted by bhaisahab View Post
not necessarily acceptable to all.
Which part proves that?
  #8  
Old 29-Jul-2009, 09:58
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,892
Member Type: Student or Learner
Default Re: Would you mind if I opened the window?

Would you mind if I smoke? - WordReference Forums
  #9  
Old 29-Jul-2009, 10:12
engee30's Avatar
Key Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,724
Home Country: Poland
Native Language: Polish
Current Location: Poland
Member Type: Other
Cool Re: Would you mind if I opened the window?

Svartnik, it's not how many reference links you provide, but it's what you think that is right. I'm a prescriptivist, so I should strongly recommend saying that following the patterns:
would mind if + past tense
do mind if + present tense


  #10  
Old 29-Jul-2009, 10:17
Banned
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,892
Member Type: Student or Learner
Default Re: Would you mind if I opened the window?

Quote:
Originally Posted by engee30 View Post
I'm a prescriptivist,
Being a prescriptivist suggests having absolute authority in the English language to me, eng. No offence, but who are you?
Okay, I rephrase my answer and say, both are commonly used by educated people.

PS: and please ... do not ... underline ... my name, please. I can see very well. ;)
Closed Thread

Bookmarks


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
"would you mind -ing" and "would you mind if" pedro8686 Ask a Teacher 5 04-Aug-2009 12:32
[General] "take my mind off" or "take my mind off of"? vil Ask a Teacher 2 27-Dec-2008 00:02
Some questions about "Would you mind if...?" orzorz Ask a Teacher 11 03-May-2007 05:43
Do you mind if / would you mind if Dany Ask a Teacher 3 21-Aug-2004 22:12


All times are GMT. The time now is 10:08.



Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.