he was wondering

USAGE SUMMARY

'he was wondering' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when someone is asking themselves something and pondering the answer. For example: "He was wondering what he should do next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

AUSTIN: Well, he was wondering, I'm sure.

The New Yorker

He was wondering a couple of things.

The New Yorker

Perhaps he was wondering what all the fuss was about.

The Guardian

He was wondering at what time Captain Ambrose started work.

The New York Times - Magazine

Now he was wondering whether history would repeat itself with the Ryder Cup selection.

The New York Times - Sports

At thirty-eight, he was wondering what it might mean to leave those racial definitions behind.

The New Yorker

(Presumably he was wondering what he would do with all of his diamonds).

The New York Times

Yet here he was, wondering what to do with the next two weeks.

The New Yorker

I think he was wondering how to break it to my father in the least traumatic way.

The New Yorker

Frank wrote that he was wondering if all of us are losing what he felicitously called our "collective vocabulary".

The New Yorker

He was wondering whether my father planned to attend a local cocktail-party fund-raiser for my school that Sunday.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he was wondering" to convey a sense of internal questioning or contemplation, making sure the context provides enough detail about what the person is considering.

Common error

Ensure the object of the wondering is clear. Avoid sentences where it's unclear what "he" is actually wondering about, as this can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was wondering" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating a state of contemplation or curiosity in a male subject. Ludwig's examples show this phrase used to introduce internal thoughts, questions, or considerations. It provides context for the character's perspective and motivations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was wondering" is a versatile phrase used to depict a character's internal thoughts and contemplation, as determined by Ludwig. Its grammatical function is descriptive, and its primary communicative purpose is to reveal a character's internal state. With the high presence of the phrase in the “News & Media” contexts, its register is considered neutral suiting various communication styles. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and a very common expression. Remember to maintain clarity in your writing by clearly specifying the object of the wondering and consider semantically similar options such as "he was curious" or "he pondered" for subtle differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was curious

This alternative directly replaces 'wondering' with 'curious', focusing on the state of inquisitiveness.

he pondered

Replaces the continuous form with a simple past tense, suggesting a more deliberate and thoughtful consideration.

he speculated

Indicates a more formal and theoretical consideration of possibilities.

he mused

Suggests a quiet, reflective thought process.

he questioned

Highlights the act of asking oneself, or others, about something.

he considered

Focuses on the act of carefully thinking about a matter.

he contemplated

Implies a deep and prolonged consideration.

he deliberated

Suggests careful and thorough consideration, often before making a decision.

he was thinking about

A more general phrase for considering a topic, losing the specific nuance of wondering.

he analyzed

Indicates a structured and methodical examination of a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "he was wondering" in a sentence?

Use "he was wondering" to describe someone internally questioning or contemplating something. For example, "He was wondering if he should accept the job offer."

What are some alternatives to "he was wondering"?

Alternatives include "he was curious", "he pondered", or "he considered", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "he wondered" instead of "he was wondering"?

Yes, "he wondered" is also correct. "He was wondering" implies a continuous or ongoing state of contemplation, while "he wondered" is a simple past tense that describes a single instance of wondering.

What's the difference between "he was wondering" and "he asked himself"?

"He was wondering" implies an internal thought process, while "he asked himself" suggests a more direct, conscious questioning. The former might not involve a specific question formulated in the mind, while the latter does.