Grammar Practice in Context - David Bolton, Noel Goodey 1997
51 Do you mind + -ing? I don’t mind + -ing I can’t help + -ing
Quick reference
• When mind is followed by a verb, we always use the -ing form. Do you mind and Would you mind are polite ways of asking someone to do something.
• We use can’t stand to show strong dislike. It means ’hate’ or ’detest’. When it is followed by a verb, we always use the -ing form.
• It’s no use (or It’s no good)/There's no point/It’s (not) worth are followed by the -ing form of the verb. I can’t help laughing. It’s no use crying. It’s not worth trying. There’s no point (in) asking.
1 A hotel receptionist is talking to a guest. Write what they say using Would you mind + -ing?
1 She wants him to show her his passport.
2 She wants him to leave his passport with her.
3 She wants him to fill in the registration card.
4 He wants her to put his travellers cheques in the hotel safe.
5 He wants her to order him a taxi.
2 Annika is an au pair girl. Complete the dialogue between her and Jane Forsyth, the woman she works for, using (not) mind + the -ing form of these verbs.
clean
do
stay
cook
look after
read
Jane: (1) ... Emily this evening? We’re going to the theatre. I’m sure
Emily (2) ... you ... her a bedtime story for a change.
Annika: No, that’s fine. I (3) ... in this evening. I’ve been out twice this week.
Jane: And (4) ... the kitchen floor?
Annika: No, I’m sorry Jane. I (5) ... light housework and last week I (6) ... all........ the meals when you were ill. But I’m an au pair, not a cleaner!
3 Look at what these airline passengers are saying and think of one word which best fits each space.
’I can’t stand (1) ... I know it’s very safe really, but I can’t help (2) ... scared.’
’Stay in that seat. It’s no use (3) ... by the window. There’s nothing to see except cloud.’
’There’s no point (4) ... to the toilet now. There’s a long queue.’
’That meal wasn’t worth (5) ... . It didn’t taste of anything.’