Tuesday, 6 October 2015

word choice - "Would you mind if I use" vs. "would you mind if I used"

As @Kaiser Octavius says, "used" isn't wrong, as you can tell by replacing this verb with another in the following sentence: "Would you mind if I came to your party?" This implies that I'll come to your party, or use your mobile, at some point in the future.



"Use" is also fine. Applying the same switch above, you'd get: "Would you mind if I come?" This form implies more immediacy, as in you'll accompany me right away, or (using your original sentence), you'd use my mobile at once.

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