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Why people say "I was wondering if...



 
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ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
Pronunciation of THE before vowel sounds | Idiom: If you watch a kettle, it never boils
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Why people say "I was wondering if... Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:58 am  Why people say "I was wondering if...
 

why people say "I was wondering if ...." not "I am wodering if .... "?
Thanks.
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Why people say "I was wondering if... Mon Sep 04, 2006 4:15 am  Why people say "I was wondering if...
 

They say both. I think that putting a request or question in the past makes it sound more polite, much as putting it in the conditional would.

"I'm wondering if you'll help me," sounds a little abrupt. It sounds more diplomatic if it is changed to "I was wondering if you would help me."
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Pronunciation of THE before vowel sounds | Idiom: If you watch a kettle, it never boils
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