we were wondering

USAGE SUMMARY

'we were wondering' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a group of people had a question in mind. Example: We were wondering if you'd like to join us for dinner tonight.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We were wondering where that was".

The New Yorker

"We were wondering: 'What is this thing?

The New York Times

We were wondering if you lived here.

The Guardian - Travel

We were wondering what their perception was.

The New Yorker

We were wondering, could we continue?

The Guardian - Film

We were wondering whether to play that card.

The Guardian - Sport

We were wondering: What is happening in the world outside?

The New York Times

"We were wondering if any more extensions could be given".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We're wondering: 'Can they do that?

The New York Times

We're wondering like everyone else.

The Guardian - Music

We are wondering if we have accomplished our goals".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were wondering" to introduce a polite question or request, especially in professional or formal settings to soften the directness of the inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "we are wondering" when referring to a past thought or question. "We were wondering" correctly places the inquiry in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were wondering" functions as an introductory phrase to a question or request, often used to soften the directness of the inquiry. As shown by Ludwig, it frames the question in a polite and indirect manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were wondering" serves as a polite and indirect way to introduce a question or request, commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in journalistic and academic writing. When writing, remember that "we were wondering" is used to introduce a question or request, and it is best used when the wondering occurred in the past. For a more formal approach, consider alternatives like "we were inquiring". Avoid confusing it with "we are wondering", which implies a current state of pondering. With its widespread use and polite tone, "we were wondering" remains a valuable tool for professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were curious

Replaces "wondering" with a direct synonym, indicating a state of curiosity.

we were inquiring

Uses a more formal term for asking, suitable for professional contexts.

we'd like to know

Expresses a desire for information in a polite manner.

we were keen to find out

Highlights eagerness to discover something, adding enthusiasm.

we were interested in knowing

Indicates interest in obtaining specific information.

we had been meaning to ask

Suggests a delayed question, implying prior intent to inquire.

we wanted to ask

Directly states the intention to pose a question.

we've been thinking about

Suggests prolonged consideration leading to a question.

it crossed our minds to ask

Phrases the question as something that occurred to the group.

we were just discussing

Frames the question as arising from a recent conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "we were wondering" in a sentence?

Use "we were wondering" to introduce a polite question or suggestion, for example, "We were wondering if you could provide more details about the project."

What's a more formal alternative to "we were wondering"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "we were inquiring" or "we would like to know" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "we were wondering"?

It's appropriate to use "we were wondering" when you want to ask something in a polite and indirect way, especially in professional emails or conversations. It can soften the directness of a question.

Is "we are wondering" grammatically correct?

While "we are wondering" is grammatically correct, it implies that you're currently in the process of wondering. "We were wondering" is better suited for introducing a question about something you considered in the past.