Verb+ing

[diogosgp]

Hi everybody!

Is this phrase right?
Do you mind stopping smoking?

I'm asking that because I've learned after mind and stop verbs should be written +ing.

Cheers

 

[bwkcaj_ca]

This is one of those expressions in English that is gramatically correct
but doesn't seem like 'natural' English.

Most people would say 'Do you mind not smoking?' instead or, 'Please don't smoke.'

 

[ManjushaNambiar]

You may ask 'Would you stop smoking?', 'Would you mind not smoking?' or 'Do you mind not smoking?'. 'Do you mind stopping smoking' is incorrect.

Besides -ing forms, mind can be followed by if-clauses.
Do you mind if you don't smoke? = Do you mind not smoking?

Do you mind if I smoke? = Do you mind my smoking?

Note that after do you mind, we use a simple present tense in the if-clause. After would you mind, we use a past tense in the if-clause.

Do you mind if I smoke?
Would you mind if I smoked?

 

[5jj]

Your answer was helpful, ManjushaNambiar, except for

'Do you mind stopping smoking' is incorrect.

It is not incorrect. It does not sound very natural, as bwkcaj_ca said, and many people avoid such clumsy constructions, in writing at least, but it is grammatically correct, and you will hear it.

 

[BobK]

Annother variant - which I find so annoying that it makes me want to start - is 'Thank you for not smoking'.

b

 

[BobK]

... It is not incorrect. It does not sound very natural, as bwkcaj_ca said, and many people avoid such clumsy constructions, in writing at least, but it is grammatically correct, and you will hear it.

:up: Yes, clumsy, or inelegant perhaps. But I've certainly heard it. If the OP wants to keep the 'Do you mind...' format, s/he could just 'Do you mind not smoking?' or even just 'Do you mind...' [with a stern look at the offending cancer-stick].

b

 

[diogosgp]

Thank you all! These tips were very helpful.

Cheers