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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... #1 (permalink) Mon Sep 04, 2006 2:58 am   Why people say "I was wondering if...		  
why people say "I was wondering if ...." not "I am wodering if .... "?
Thanks.
Floratang
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Joined: 23 May 2006
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Why people say "I was wondering if... #2 (permalink) Mon Sep 04, 2006 3:15 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."
Jamie (K)
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Joined: 24 Feb 2006
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Pronunciation of THE before vowel sounds | Idiom: If you watch a kettle, it never boils
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