Meaning & use
mind you
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Meaning
phrasefixed phraseinformalBritish
Used to add a remark that limits, softens, or offers a contrast to what you have just said.
Grammar: Goes at the start or end of a clause, usually set off by commas: Mind you, it was cheap.
Patterns
- Mind you, ...
- ..., mind you.
The food was awful. Mind you, we were very hungry.
It rained all week; mind you, the garden needed it.
He's rather shy. Mind you, so was I at his age.
Common combinations
- Mind you, ...
- Mind you, I never liked that car anyway.
- ..., mind you.
- It's a long drive, mind you.
- mind you, though
- Mind you, though, nobody warned us.
- and mind you
- And mind you, she said it with a smile.
Synonyms and how they differ
- although
- Although is a conjunction joining clauses, whereas mind you is a conversational aside placed between sentences.
- then again
- Then again is also an informal reversal, but it often sounds more doubtful than mind you.
- admittedly
- Admittedly is more formal and concedes a point against your own view, while mind you is chatty.
- still
- Still is neutral and works in writing, but mind you sounds spoken and British.
Word family
- mind verb
- the verb that forms the phrase, meaning to take care or object
- never mind phrase
- a different phrase meaning do not worry
Commonly confused: mind you or mind your language?
mind you vs mind your language
Mind your language is a warning to speak politely and is not a comment that adds a contrast.
Practice
'The film was too long. ______, I enjoyed the ending.' Which choice adds a contrast in a casual way?
Choose one answer.
Mind you introduces a qualifying remark. Never mind means do not worry, and the other options do not fit the sentence.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mind you”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.