Do you mind -- sure?HJ

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi, is it OK to respond to the question “Do you mind if …” with ‘sure’? I mean, the correct response would be ‘no, not at all’. At any rate it should be a negation. It looks as if in American English it is perfectly acceptable to use a positive response such as ‘sure’. Am I right? Many thanks, Torsten

2

I’d certainly agree with you, for it’s usually a negation. But suppose that the person actually minds it. Then could that be the answer?

3

That’s the reverse of what they actually mean when people use ‘sure’.

‘Do you mind if…?’
‘Sure’ is used to indicate they don’t mind.

Torsten - your observations are correct.

1 Like
4

Is it then like ‘Sure, I don’t’?

But if the person actually minds it, what will be his answer?