I wonder however

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I wonder however" is not correct as it stands and may sound awkward in written English.
It can be used when expressing curiosity or doubt, but it typically requires additional context or restructuring for clarity. Example: "I wonder, however, if there might be another explanation for the results."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

I wonder, however.

The Guardian - Opinion

I wonder, however, whether cellphone service is like other utilities.

The New York Times

I wonder, however, if some of the answers lie elsewhere.

The Guardian

I wonder, however, how karma will play to a million children, orphaned by Aids?

The Guardian - Music

I wonder, however, in the absence of hard facts, who is served by this information?

The New York Times

I wonder, however, why the lessons learned early in the AIDS epidemic through the actions of activists have not been applied to this case.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

I wondered, however, if that boy understands Rowling's suggestion that none of us are purely good or purely evil.

The New Yorker

I wondered, however, why she had given Picasso three arms, which reach out to pinion the airborne Sylvette.

The Guardian - Arts

I wondered, however, if the app's $5 fee for diners, which may not seem like much when you're paying $100 or more for the meal, starts to seem more costly when it's added to the bill at a more affordable restaurant.

TechCrunch

I wondered, however, how many individuals would agree with one of her statements, which was that white people are being oppressed.

Huffington Post

I still wonder, however, whether a Chinese citizen could, with impunity, send an e-mail to the director of the Melbourne festival expressing support for Rebiya Kadeer and endorsing her presence at the festival and the screening of the film.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I wonder", ensure the subsequent clause clearly states the object of your curiosity to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't overuse "I wonder however" in close succession. It can sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "I wonder however" is to express a thought or question that contrasts with or qualifies a previous statement. It's used to introduce an element of uncertainty or curiosity despite what has already been mentioned. Ludwig AI suggests that the phrase may sound awkward.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I wonder however" is used to express a contrasting thought or question. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is grammatically questionable. While it appears in various news and media sources, it's often recommended to rephrase for enhanced clarity. Alternatives like "However, I wonder..." or "I wonder, though..." offer more polished options. Use it carefully, ensuring that your intended meaning is communicated effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I wonder, though

This alternative provides a more concise way to introduce a contrasting thought or question.

I wonder, nevertheless

It retains a similar meaning but introduces a slightly stronger sense of contrast or concession.

However, I wonder

Switches the order of the phrase components for a more conventional flow in English.

Yet, I wonder

Uses "yet" to introduce a contrasting thought, offering a slightly different nuance than "however".

Still, I wonder

Suggests that despite a previous statement, the speaker is still pondering something.

I question, though

Replaces "wonder" with "question" to highlight the act of doubting or inquiring.

I ponder, though

Substitutes "wonder" with "ponder" to emphasize deep thought or consideration.

I speculate, though

It introduces a sense of conjecture or guess.

Even so, I wonder

Emphasizes that despite what has been said, the speaker still has a question or doubt.

All the same, I wonder

Similar to "even so", this phrase indicates that a question remains regardless of prior information.

FAQs

How can I improve the flow of a sentence using "I wonder however"?

Reorganize your sentence to start with "However, I wonder..." or separate the phrases, such as "I wonder. However,". This enhances clarity and readability.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "I wonder however"?

While not strictly incorrect, starting a sentence with "I wonder however" can sound awkward. It's generally better to use "However, I wonder..." for a smoother flow.

What are some alternatives to "I wonder however" that sound more natural?

Consider using phrases like "I wonder though", "I wonder nevertheless", or simply "However, I wonder" for a more polished tone.

When is it appropriate to use "I wonder however" in writing?

Use "I wonder however" sparingly, primarily when you want to introduce a contrasting thought or question immediately following an initial statement. Ensure the sentence remains clear and easy to understand.