found myself wondering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "found myself wondering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a moment of contemplation or curiosity about a particular topic or situation. Example: "As I walked through the old neighborhood, I found myself wondering what had happened to all my childhood friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Nonetheless, I found myself wondering if Leigh was self-obsessed.

The Guardian - Books

I found myself wondering if you know what knowledge is.

The Guardian

I've found myself wondering what Parker would wear.

The Guardian - Books

I found myself wondering how much this costs.

The Guardian - Books

Why is this voice so evocative, I found myself wondering.

The Guardian - Books

I found myself wondering whether Zellweger had been kidnapped.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before seeing the author's name, I found myself wondering if Studs Terkel were not really dead.

The New York Times - Magazine

I found myself wondering just who, after another ice age, he might be talking to: Computers?

The New York Times - Science

I found myself wondering how much the work's scattered strong effects depended upon its longueurs.

The New York Times - Arts

I found myself wondering: What does it say that someone in Ohio bought "Black Magic"?

The New Yorker

But I found myself wondering how the busy home cooks out there feel about making it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "found myself wondering" to express a spontaneous thought or a question that arose unexpectedly. It is appropriate in both formal and informal writing, adding a touch of personal reflection.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overusing "found myself wondering" in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more direct alternatives like "I considered" or "I investigated" for a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "found myself wondering" functions as an introspective expression, typically introducing a thought, question, or realization that occurred somewhat spontaneously. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts to indicate a moment of contemplation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "found myself wondering" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to introduce a spontaneous thought or question. Ludwig confirms its widespread applicability and correctness. It functions as an introspective device, adding a personal touch to writing. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in highly formal contexts. Predominantly found in news, media, and books, it conveys a sense of reflection and curiosity. Related phrases include "caught myself thinking" and "began to ponder", each offering subtle variations in emphasis. According to Ludwig, understanding its nuances can enhance writing by accurately capturing moments of contemplative thought.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caught myself thinking

Replaces "found" with "caught", emphasizing the sudden or unexpected nature of the thought.

I couldn't help but wonder

Indicates an involuntary or irresistible impulse to wonder about something.

began to ponder

Substitutes "wondering" with "ponder", indicating a more deliberate and thoughtful consideration.

I couldn't help thinking

Indicates an involuntary or irresistible impulse to think about something.

started to question

Uses "question" instead of "wondering", suggesting a more critical or analytical thought process.

was left contemplating

Replaces "found myself" with "was left", implying that external factors led to the contemplation.

discovered myself musing

Uses "musing" to suggest a quiet and thoughtful reflection.

I started to speculate

Suggests forming a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.

realized I was curious

Emphasizes the feeling of curiosity that prompted the thought.

it occurred to me to wonder

Highlights the sudden appearance of the thought or question.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "found myself wondering" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you can replace "found myself wondering" with phrases like "I considered", "I contemplated", or "I began to question depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "I find myself wondering" instead of "found myself wondering"?

Yes, both are grammatically correct, but they imply different time frames. "Found myself wondering" refers to a past occurrence, while "find myself wondering" suggests a recurring or present state.

What's a more concise alternative to "found myself wondering"?

For a more concise option, you might use "I wondered". This is especially suitable when the context already makes it clear that the wondering was a spontaneous thought.

When is it best to use "found myself wondering" in writing?

It's best used when you want to convey a sense of personal reflection or surprise at the thought that occurred. It works well in narratives, essays, and less formal reports where a personal tone is acceptable.