“I Wouldn’t Mind…” Often Means “I’d Like…”

“I Wouldn’t Mind…” Often Means “I’d Like…”

“I wouldn’t mind a short break” is not merely an indifferent “I have no objection to a break”. It politely means “I’d quite like a break”. The British Council glosses wouldn’t mind as would like, and the phrase can be followed by a noun or an -ing form.

A: Shall we stop for ten minutes?
B: I wouldn’t mind a short break.

Do not confuse it with “I don’t mind waiting”, which says you are willing to wait or have no objection, not that waiting is what you want. The distinction is natural in everyday Australian English and readily understood in Britain and the US. For clear enthusiasm, “I’d love a break” is stronger.

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/free-resources/grammar/english-grammar-reference/verbs-followed-ing-form


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