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Watch courses on your mobile device without an internet connection. Imperative sentences provide a command, request, or demand.
For example:
- He wasn’t at the game last night, was he?
- You aren’t eating the last piece of pizza, are you?
When Is the Phrase “I Was Wondering” Used?
“I was wondering” is a phrase used to politely introduce an interrogative sentence.
It works well, and many native speakers will use it to ask permission or make a request.
- Just wondering, would I be able to help you with this?
- Just wondering, have you got time to help me with my project?
Is It Ever Correct To Use “I Am Wondered”?
“I am wondered” is not correct.
Declarative sentences offer a statement, fact, or explanation. Typically, we don’t have long to make our final decision, and we’re showing that we’re trying to think as quickly as we can.
When Should I Use “I Wonder”?
Finally, we come to “I wonder.” This is the more general present expression of thought we can use.
'I wonder" is a statement, not a question. For example:
- I was wondering if you could help me.
“I am wondering” and “I wonder” are both related to the present tense.
We cannot use the phrase “I am” with the past tense verb “wondered.” “I am” is the present tense, and we use the auxiliary verb “am” to show that we are currently doing something. So always double-check when you're writing sentences with the word wonder. Although a question mark never directly follows its use, it is a common end mark to use when it is included in a sentence.
Let’s look at the different ways you can integrate this phrase into your writing and speech and learn how to punctuate it properly.
Question Mark Rules and Examples
Interrogative sentences are used to request more information and ask a question.
Here’s how it would look:
- I was just wondering if you have a moment to spare.
The “just” makes the request after it seems more like an afterthought. There are often no further decisions needed here, and we are just expressing what’s come into our minds.
Is It “I Was Wondering If” Or “I Was Wondering Whether”?
You might have noticed from some of the above examples that we used both “if” and “whether.”
“I was wondering if” and “I was wondering whether” are both correct.
"Do you want dessert?" is a question. In these cases, “if” and “whether” are synonymous, and we can use either to balance out the idea or request we’ve put forward for the listener.
- I was wondering if you had time for me.
- I was wondering whether you had time for me.
Is It Acceptable To Use “Just Wondering” As A Question?
“Just wondering” is acceptable when used in an informal setting.
However, “I wonder, do you like cats?” is still a grammatically correct sentence. But it isn’t. We usually follow the phrase with a question to ask permission. It will be rare for “I wonder” to be part of a question. So it ends with a period, not a question mark. Because it’s a past tense phrase but used in a present tense manner.
This helps to show the listener that we’re not desperate for their permission, and we will be okay if they turn us down.