English for Students

English : Not at all

When someone says Would you mind repeating what you just said, should the reply be Not at all?

Well, it depends on what you mean. If you don't mind repeating what you have just said, then this reply is correct. If, on the other hand, you say Yes, it implies, Yes, I do mind repeating what I just said. Many non-native speakers of English have problems with such questions. When someone asks them Would you mind moving over, they respond by saying Yes and then move over. But by saying, Yes, what they are actually saying is, Yes, I do mind moving over.




COURTESY : The Hindu (The National News-Paper) - India