Learn English – Would/Do you mind…? vs. Will you mind…

would

Why is it that you can say "Would/Do you mind…?" but not exactly "Will you mind…?"?

For example:

(1) Would you mind my smoking here?

(2) Do you mind my smoking here?

(3) Will you mind my smoking here? (??)

Is it simply a matter of usage?

Or is there some logical explanation for that?

Specifically, the question might boil down to answering the following questions:

Is (1) a "polite" form of (3) and somehow has (3) lost its usage?

Alternatively, is (1) a hypothetical/unreal version of (2), as in "If you were in the hypothetical situation, would you mind my smoking here?"

Best Answer

The third example means something different.

Will you mind my smoking here?

implies that you intend to smoke despite any objections, but that you may be willing to work out some sort of compromise.

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