Do you mind opening the window/Do you mind if I open the window
“Do you mind ____?”“Go ahead, I don’t mind.” A. opening the window B. I open the window C. if I open the window D. whether I open the window(TOEFL)
《TOEFL、GRE 解题词典》(译林出版社, p.702) 给的答案是 A(opening the window)。我不明白这里为什么不能用 C(if I open the window)? 我手头就有这样的例句: Do you mind if I call you later? (MD)
上列书所给的答案是错误的。动词 mind 要求动名词(v-ing)作它的宾语,这是所有的语法书都着重加以强调的: Do you mind waiting? (CGEL) 叫你等待你不介意吧?
这也是各类标准英语考试所经常考核的一个内容:
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“May I help you? You've lots of things to carry.” “Would you mind ____ for me?” A. carrying these books B. carry these books C. to carry these books D. will carry these books(TOEFL)
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I wonder if you'd mind ____. A. to get the engine started B. getting started the engine C. getting the engine started D. to get starting the engine(TOEFL)
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Would you mind give me a glass of water and some aspirin? (TOEFL)
然而,Do (Would) you mind if I...也是常见的句型:
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Do you mind if I come up and sit around the office? (Hemingway) 如果我过来在办公室闲坐坐,你介意吗?
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Would you mind if I took one of these books—as a keepsake? (Greene) 如果我从这些书中拿一本作为纪念,你介意吗?
但是,这两种句型所表达的意思是不同的。在 Do(Would) you mind + v-ing 结构中, v-ing 的逻辑主语是 you。也就是说,这个句型所表达的意思是“请你做某事”:
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Do (Would) you mind shutting the door? ——Certainly not. (NAECD) 对不起,请你关上门好吗?——当然好。
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Do you mind posting a letter for me? (Mansfield) 请你给我邮封信好吗?
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Would you mind not smoking? (Please don't smoke.) (PEG) 请不要吸烟好吗?
如果 v-ing 的动作不是由 you 发出的, 则必须在 v-ing 之前加上名词所有格(属格)或代词所有格(物主代词):
Do you mind my opening the window? 我打开窗户,你不介意吧?
Do you mind if I...句型则是表示“我做某事,你是否介意”。
Do you mind if I stay here? (EED) 我留在这里,你不介意吧?
现在回过头来解答你提出的托福题。从听话人的回答:“Go ahead, I don't mind.”(“请吧,我不介意”)可以看出,问话人并不是“请听话人做某事”,而是询问听话人是否介意说话人做某事。因此,理所当然地应当选 C(if I open the window)。下面的试题是更有力的证明:
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Would you mind helping me with this load of books?
A. Please remind me to read this book.
B. Could you help me carry these books?
C. I don't mind if you help me.
D. Do you have a heavy course load this term? (TOEFL) -
“Is George really leaving the university?” “Yes, but would you mind ____ to anyone?” A. not mentioning it B. not to mention it C. not mention it D. not to mentioning it (TOEFL)
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Would you mind ____ your radio a little, please? A. turn off B. turning off C. to turn down D. turning down(全国高考)
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Excuse me. If your call's not too urgent, do you mind ____ mine first?
A. I make B. if I make C. me to make D. that I make(全国四级,98.6-64)