don't you mind

USAGE SUMMARY

"Don't you mind" is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used as a way to politely check if someone is alright or in agreement with an idea. For example, "I think it's time to leave the party, don't you mind?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Don't you mind".

The New Yorker

"But don't you mind getting your feet dirty?" "Take the left here at the fork.

The New Yorker

So maybe they're happy, but don't you mind being away from them?

The New York Times - Magazine

I haven't seen that before.' It's like, Why don't you mind your own business?

The New York Times

The triumphant basement pool-builder in Phillimore Gardens was asked by his new neighbours: "Don't you mind that everyone hates you?" He shrugged – not a damn.

The Guardian

"People used to ask me, 'Don't you mind that Jo Rowling is taking all the attention?' And I'd say, 'What attention?' No one had the slightest interest in children's authors.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I say if you don't mind you know 'cause I keep a very careful record of these things.

BMC Health Services Research

"I don't mind the needles, mind you.

The New Yorker

I don't mind you building him up and I don't mind what you write.

BBC

You don't mind, do you?" I did mind.

Huffington Post

"But I don't mind you mentioning Harold.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "don't you mind" to politely seek confirmation or permission, particularly when you anticipate the other person might object or be inconvenienced. For example: "I was thinking of borrowing your car, don't you mind?"

Common error

Avoid using "don't you mind" in highly formal or professional settings where a more direct or explicit inquiry might be more appropriate. In such scenarios, consider alternatives like "would you object if...?" or "is that acceptable to you?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "don't you mind" functions primarily as a tag question, which is used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener. As Ludwig AI points out, it is often used to politely check if someone is alright or in agreement with an idea. It adds a conversational tone and invites the other person to express their opinion or feelings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "don't you mind" is a versatile phrase used to politely seek confirmation, permission, or agreement. As noted by Ludwig AI, it functions as a tag question, softening requests and inviting feedback. While generally acceptable, it's best suited for neutral to informal contexts, with the majority of examples sourced from News & Media. Alternatives such as "do you mind" or "would you mind" can provide a slightly more direct or formal tone when needed. Remember to consider the context and audience when using this phrase to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do you mind

Changes the phrasing from a negative question tag to a direct question.

would you mind

Adds a layer of politeness by using the conditional "would".

are you sure you don't mind

Adds emphasis, seeking reassurance that the listener is truly unbothered.

is it okay with you

Shifts the focus to whether something is acceptable to the listener.

is that alright with you

Similar to "is it okay with you", but uses 'alright' for a slightly less formal tone.

are you okay with that

Asks for confirmation that the listener is comfortable with a situation.

are you comfortable with that

Focuses on the listener's level of comfort with a particular action or situation.

does that bother you

Directly inquires if something is causing the listener discomfort.

are you fine with this

Seeks to confirm whether the listener is content with a decision or action.

does this upset you

A more direct question that asks if something is causing distress.

FAQs

How can I use "don't you mind" in a sentence?

The phrase "don't you mind" is typically used as a tag question at the end of a statement to seek confirmation or permission. For example, "I'll be using your laptop, "don't you mind"?" or "I hope you "don't you mind" if I sit here."

What does "don't you mind" mean?

The phrase "don't you mind" is a polite way of asking if someone objects to something you are doing or planning to do. It's essentially asking for their consent or approval, often with the expectation that they will say it's okay.

What can I say instead of "don't you mind"?

Alternatives to "don't you mind" include "do you mind" (though this can sometimes sound more direct), "would you mind", "is it okay with you", or "are you okay with that". The choice depends on the level of formality and the context of the situation.

Is it better to say "do you mind" or "don't you mind"?

Both "do you mind" and "don't you mind" can be used to ask for permission or express concern about imposing on someone. "Do you mind" directly asks if the person objects, while "don't you mind" implies you hope they don't object. The latter can be perceived as more polite in some contexts, as it assumes a positive response.