Expression: Would you mind if

[ronny]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #49 "Modal Verb Questions", question 10

......... I ride with you to work?

(a) Will you mind if
(b) Could you mind if
(c) Would you mind if
(d) Can you mind if

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #49 "Modal Verb Questions", answer 10

Would you mind if I ride with you to work?

Correct answer: (c) Would you mind if

Your answer was: incorrect
Will you mind if I ride with you to work?
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Why you have to use would instead of will in that particular sentence?

Thanks

ronny

[Mister Micawber]

.
Would you mind is simply the set phrase of courtesy when directed at a listener to whom the request or inquiry is made.

In other contexts, will is certainly possible: Do you think your brother will/would mind my coming to his reception late?
.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Chiki]

Hello, I have a question to ask you. I thought the answer was 'a' because the verb 'ride' is present tense.　When you start a sentence with 'Would you mind', the whole sentence should be 'Would you mind if I rode with you to work?'. I got confused. Please tell me why my answer wrong.

Thank you.

Chiki

[Mister Micawber]

.
Would you mind if I rode with you to work?
Would you mind if I ride with you to work?

Both of these are fine and very common in conversation. This 'would' is not a conditional per se in the sentence; it is a courtesy in a request. 'Will you mind if I ride' is in fact impossible as an English request. Because 'would' is the past form of 'will', many speakers regress the verb in the dependent clause, but it is not necessary to do so.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Chiki]

Thank you for your help.

Chiki