Would you mind sending, not “would you mind to send”

The rule

For a polite request, use Could you + verb: Could you send the file? Or use Would you mind + -ing: Would you mind sending the file?, never would you mind to send.

After mind, English uses the -ing form, but هل تمانع أن and ça vous dérangerait de lead learners to add to. And a direct Send me the file can sound rude, so these polite forms matter at work.

Examples

In a conversation

A: Hiba, would you mind printing these slides for me?

B: Not at all. How many copies?

A: Ten, please. And could you book the small meeting room?

B: Sure, no problem.

Practice

Choose the best answer. The answers are at the end of the lesson.

1. Would you mind ___ the meeting to Tuesday?
   • a) to move
   • b) moving
   • c) move
2. “Would you mind checking my email?” “___”
   • a) Not at all.
   • b) Yes, I would.
   • c) Yes, I mind it.
3. ___ help me with this form, please?
   • a) Would you mind
   • b) Would you mind to
   • c) Could you

Tip

Would you mind…? means Is it a problem for you?, so the polite yes is Not at all or No, of course not. A plain Yes means Yes, it's a problem.

Answers

1. b) moving. After would you mind, use -ing.
2. a) Not at all. Not at all means no problem: I'll do it.
3. c) Could you. Could you takes the base verb; would you mind needs helping.

• ← Day 23: Let's get started: four phrases for meetings in English
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