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Sylvia
How to reply when someone said 'Do you mind if I sit here'?
If I replied 'yes', I may imply 'I do mind' or 'Yes, you can sit here'.
If I replied 'no', I may mean 'I don't mind' or 'No you can't sit here'.
So the response could have opposite meaning. I think replying 'No' should be grammatically correct. But I'd like to know how do native speakers response.
Feb 4, 2020 7:59 PM
Answers · 7
1
There are multiple ways of answering this question.
You can say something like: " I don't mind at all"; " Go ahead, the seat is available'; "No, I don't mind, please have a seat'.
I hope this answers your question :)
If you need any help with your English, kindly check out my teacher profile:
https://www.italki.com/teacher.aida
February 4, 2020
1
The correct answer is "No" but people will often say yes and then correct themselves. In that example it would be common to hear either "No" or "Yes. Oh oh I mean yes, you can sit here, no, I don't mind. Haha"
February 4, 2020
1
To avoid ambiguity, we would say: "Be my guest", "Help yourself", or "Go ahead.", You could also just gesture with your hand as if showing someone to the seat (implies "Help yourself" also).
February 4, 2020
Thank you all for your answers. I knew 'no' should be the correct answer but when someone asked me, I just didn't have enough time to think about grammar and always replied 'yes'. Thankfully nobody misunderstood me. Next time I will try use 'go ahead' which can reply both 'do you mind ...' and 'can I ...'
February 6, 2020
This made me giggle because English is so ridiculous. I'm so sorry!
Most people in the United States would say:
-No (you don't have to say, "I don't mind"-- it's implied)
-No I don't mind if you sit here
-Feel free to take a seat
-Nope (you don't have to say, "I don't mind")
February 4, 2020
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Sylvia
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English, Japanese
Learning Language
English, Japanese
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