wondering about what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wondering about what" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing curiosity or uncertainty regarding a specific topic or situation. Example: "I was wondering about what you thought of the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The community seems to suffer from boredom rather than poverty: Everyone seems to be waiting for, and wondering about, what comes next.

Huffington Post

But it got me wondering about what elections look like to first-timers.

The New Yorker

Now industry groups and officials are already wondering about what happens when this burst of money is spent.

The New York Times

"I was wondering about what hole we were going to in the playoff".

The New York Times - Sports

"Everybody is wondering about what will be happening then," she said.

The New York Times

"People started wondering about what was going on with us, and they started getting nervous.

The New York Times

"I was wondering about what I was going to get to watch myself.

The New York Times

The first time, I found myself wondering about what it isn't; the second, I was all the more struck by what it is.

The New Yorker

Such speculation is as vain as wondering about what these people were doing before they went to Georgia, though just as inevitable.

The New York Times

Last month, when its owner announced it would close by the end of January because of a rent increase, I started wondering about what made it so cool.

The New York Times

As the throngs celebrated in Cairo, I couldn't help wondering about what is happening to democracy here in the United States.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "wondering about what" with a complete clause to provide a clear and coherent expression of your inquiry. For example, "I am wondering about what the future holds" is clearer than "I am wondering about what..."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "wondering about what" can sound informal. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "inquiring as to what" or "investigating what" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wondering about what" functions as a gerund phrase followed by a preposition and a relative pronoun, introducing a clause that expresses a state of curiosity or contemplation. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. The gerund phrase acts as a subject complement, indicating the object of the wondering.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Huffington Post

11%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wondering about what" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to convey curiosity or contemplation. Ludwig confirms its broad applicability across diverse contexts. While primarily found in news and media, its neutral register makes it suitable for both informal and moderately formal communication. While generally accepted, consider employing more formal alternatives like "inquiring as to what" in professional writing. Keep in mind the specific nuance you wish to convey when choosing between "wondering", "inquiring", or "pondering" as these alternatives emphasize different aspects of the thought process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

curious about what

"Curious" implies a desire to know, slightly more active than "wondering".

pondering what

"Pondering" suggests deeper thought than "wondering".

questioning what

"Questioning" implies a more direct inquiry or doubt.

inquiring as to what

More formal alternative using "inquiring" instead of "wondering".

considering what

"Considering" indicates careful thought and evaluation.

thinking about what

Broader term, encompassing any kind of thought, not necessarily uncertainty.

speculating about what

"Speculating" suggests forming theories without firm evidence.

examining what

"Examining" suggests a close inspection.

investigating what

"Investigating" implies a systematic and thorough inquiry.

analyzing what

"Analyzing" suggests a detailed examination of the components.

FAQs

How can I use "wondering about what" in a sentence?

You can use "wondering about what" to express curiosity or uncertainty about a specific topic. For example, "I was wondering about what the results of the experiment would be".

What are some alternatives to "wondering about what"?

You can use alternatives like "curious about what", "inquiring about what", or "pondering what depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "wondering about what"?

While generally correct, "wondering about what" might sound less formal in some contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "inquiring as to what" in professional settings.

How does "wondering about what" differ from "asking about what"?

"Wondering about what" implies internal contemplation or curiosity, while "asking about what" indicates a direct request for information. The first is internal thought, the second is expressed inquiry.