wonder

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'wonder' is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used as a verb, to express something that you would like to understand, or as a noun, to express the feeling of surprise. For example, "She looked out the window in wonder at the view."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And no wonder.

The New York Times

I wonder.

The New York Times

No wonder.

The New York Times - Arts

So it's no wonder that companies are feeling cautious.

The Economist

I wonder if the man chosen to play the charismatic Simpson – who won Sports Personality of the Year in 1965 – will come from Shane's trusted pack of actors?

The Guardian - Film

Related: Graphene – six ways wonder material could improve world sustainability Perhaps most significantly, public policy around packaging has advanced at a snail's pace.

The Guardian

Yet, far from expressing wonder that an act as extreme and barbaric as the murders is what it takes for the west to show defiance towards a religious duty that is not meaningful to non-Muslims, cultural provocateurs successfully argue that this highly exceptional situation is in fact indicative of a general contempt for Islam.

The Guardian - Opinion

I wonder if we'll see a re-run of stage 6 on last year's Tirreno-Adriatico, when a 30% climb caused many pros to get off and push.

The Guardian

My impression is that there are many people at FA headquarters, or high up at the Football League, who are horrified by what is happening and wonder like the rest of us where it is all going to end.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead, the plinth has become a place for rubberneckers to congregate, shake their heads and wonder what on earth has become of the club.

The Guardian - Sport

No wonder so many people are turning away from electoral politics.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wonder" to express curiosity or mild uncertainty. For stronger expressions of surprise or admiration, consider alternatives like "marvel" or "be amazed".

Common error

Avoid using "wander" (to move without a specific direction) when you mean "wonder" (to feel curiosity or doubt). Double-check your spelling to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "wonder" primarily functions as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it expresses a state of curiosity or contemplation. As a noun, it signifies something that inspires awe or amazement. Ludwig confirms these uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "wonder" is a versatile term, functioning as both a verb and a noun to convey curiosity, contemplation, or awe. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically sound and frequently employed across numerous contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, its usage spans from expressing mild uncertainty to highlighting extraordinary phenomena. Therefore, writers can confidently use "wonder" to enrich their expression, whether they are writing in a formal or an informal context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be curious about

Focuses on the feeling of wanting to know more about something, shifting from contemplation to active interest.

to be curious to know

Combines curiosity with a desire for knowledge, emphasizing the active pursuit of information.

to marvel at

Highlights a sense of awe and astonishment, focusing on the remarkable nature of something.

to be amazed by

Emphasizes a feeling of surprise and admiration, highlighting the impressive nature of something.

to be in awe of

Emphasizes a deep feeling of respect and amazement, portraying something as highly impressive.

to contemplate

Focuses on prolonged thought and reflection, emphasizing a deliberate and thoughtful process.

to ponder over

Focuses on deep thought and consideration, emphasizing the mental effort involved in understanding something.

to ask oneself

Highlights the internal dialogue and self-questioning, placing emphasis on personal reflection.

to question

Highlights the act of inquiry and doubt, placing more emphasis on seeking answers.

to speculate about

Focuses on forming theories or guesses, highlighting the uncertainty and lack of concrete evidence.

FAQs

How to use "wonder" in a sentence?

You can use "wonder" as a verb, like in "I "wonder if" it will rain tomorrow", or as a noun, like in "The Grand Canyon is a natural "wonder"".

What can I say instead of "wonder"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "question", "marvel", "ponder", or "curiosity".

Which is correct, "I wonder if" or "I wonder whether"?

Both "I "wonder if"" and "I "wonder whether"" are correct and essentially interchangeable, although "whether" is often considered more formal.

What's the difference between "wonder" and "wander"?

"Wonder" means to feel curiosity or to be amazed, while "wander" means to move without a specific direction or purpose. They have completely different meanings and should not be confused.