just wondering or just wandering

Exploring “I Was Wondering” vs. “I Am Wondering” vs. “I Wonder”: A Guide to Expression

Marcus Froland

March 28, 2024

Choosing the right words can make or break a conversation. It’s all about hitting the right note. “I was wondering,” “I am wondering,” and “I wonder” might seem like they’re interchangeable. But, they’re not. Each phrase sets a different tone and shows a unique level of curiosity or politeness.

Think about the last time you asked someone for a favor or information. Did you pause for a second, considering which phrase to use? It’s more common than you think. This article will strip down these phrases to their core, making it easier for you to decide which one fits your next conversation perfectly.

When it comes to English learning, knowing the difference between “I was wondering,” “I am wondering,” and “I wonder” is key. “I was wondering” is used when you thought about something in the past but might not be thinking about it now. For example, “I was wondering if you’d like to go out for coffee.” It often introduces a polite question or request.

“I am wondering” , on the other hand, means you are currently thinking about something. It’s used for present thoughts, like saying, “I am wondering what to cook for dinner.” This phrase can show you are actively seeking an answer or solution.

Lastly, “I wonder” expresses curiosity or pondering and can be used for both present and general wondering. Saying “I wonder why the sky is blue” reflects a thought or question you have at the moment or in general.

Understanding these differences helps in making your English more precise and effective.

Understanding the Basics of “Wonder” in English Language

Grasping the English grammar involved in the usage of wonder opens a window into one’s ability to navigate between past reflection and present inquiry elegantly. The term “wonder” weaves into the fabric of language basics and serves as a versatile tool in expression in English . To communicate effectively, you need to recognize the subtle but significant differences in how this term functions within various contexts.

Consider the phrase “I wonder” , which is a general expression of your internal musings or casual thoughts shared aloud. Whether you’re musing over the outcome of an event or pondering a philosophical question, this phrase allows you to voice your thoughts without the expectation of an immediate answer, preserving the charm of curiosity in your conversation.

Now, let’s differentiate this from “I am wondering” and “I was wondering” . When you’re in the midst of forming your thoughts and are yet to come to a conclusion, “I am wondering” is your present progressive companion. It invites listeners into your thought process, showing them that you’re actively engaged in seeking out your next steps. On the other hand, “I was wondering” comes into play when you’ve had time to think and are now looking to interact based on these past considerations – a subtle, yet clear move from thought to action.

Familiarize yourself with the following comparative table to succinctly comprehend when to employ each form of “wonder” in your daily dialogues:

Knowing which form of “wonder” to use is less about rigid grammar rules and more about the art of language. It’s a melody that sets the tone of your voice, a painter’s brush that colors your sentences with intent and grace.

• Use “I wonder” to express open curiosity.
• Employ “I am wondering” to convey your thought process.
• Opt for “I was wondering” to make polite requests or inquiries.

By internalizing these language basics , you’ll not only enrich your vocabulary but also enhance the subtlety and richness of your interactions. Remember, English is not just a language of words; it is a playground for expression, where the right phrase can open the right doors.

Breaking Down the Nuances of “I Was Wondering”

Embarking on a journey through the world of English language etiquette , we uncover the soft power of indirect requests through the phrase “I was wondering.” This phrase is a cornerstone in the architecture of polite expression , providing a foundation for conversational politeness that is paramount in both professional and social settings. Let’s dissect the elements that make this phrase so vital for a conversational tone that maintains respect and softening speech .

The Art of Politeness: Indirect Requests with “I Was Wondering”

When you aim to approach a situation with the delicacy of a diplomat, “I was wondering” becomes your ally. It acts as a verbal tiptoe, signaling your awareness of the other person’s autonomy and comfort. This phrase is a master in casual requests , making its use a display of English language etiquette at its finest.

Imagine yourself in a scenario that demands a favor or a slice of someone’s time. Rather than a blunt “Can you help me?” a prelude of “I was wondering if you could help me?” instantly wraps your request in layers of courtesy, making it palatable and pressure-free.

“I was wondering” is not merely a collection of words; it’s the outstretched hand of conversational respect, awaiting a warm handshake from the listener.

Adding “Just” for Informality: Enhancing the Request

The word “just” can transform the landscape of a dialogue with its subtle implication of informality and humility. By embedding this little word into “I was wondering,” you are dressing down the gravity of your request to the level of an offhand remark, something tossed gently into the conversational mix without any weighty expectations.

• “I was just wondering if you’ve seen my book around?”
• “ Just wondering if you have any thoughts on the subject?”
• “Hey, I was just wondering if you’d like to join us for lunch?”

These phrases take the edge off the request, taking a step back from formal language and stepping into the realm of informal language , which is the heartland of easy, accessible communication.

Below is a table that exemplifies the nuanced use of “I was wondering” with and without the addition of “just,” highlighting its versatility and effectiveness in different contexts:

Each and every turn of phrase knitted with “I was wondering” pulls us closer to mastering the art of indirect requests and polite expression . Learn to employ it with finesse, and watch as your ability to navigate sensitive conversational landscapes becomes effortless and your interactions are met with appreciation and a willingness to engage.

Deciphering the Present Thoughts: “I Am Wondering” Explained

When you’re actively engaged in a process of contemplating choices or pondering over possibilities, the phrase “I am wondering” becomes an exquisite tool in your linguistic arsenal. It is a beautiful demonstration of the present progressive tense , a form that allows us to articulate uncertainty and share the thoughts that currently occupy our minds.

Let’s dive deeper into the realms of the English present tense to understand how “I am wondering” enhances our communicative abilities. Unlike its relatives “I was wondering” or “I wonder,” this phrase locks us into the present moment, creating a vibrant snapshot of our thought process as it unfolds in real-time.

“I am wondering” gently invites the listener into the intricate dance of your thoughts, expressing a sense of immediacy and openness in your decision-making journey.

As you navigate scenarios brimming with uncertainty, “I am wondering” stands as a beacon of contemplation, guiding you through a sea of choices without demanding immediate resolution.

Consider how this expression of real-time contemplation appears in the sentences below:

• I am wondering if I should wait or act now.
• Currently, I am wondering what the best course of action is.
• As the deadline approaches, I am wondering how to prioritize my tasks.

And yet, the question arises: how do you decide which form of “wonder” to use? Consider this table to clarify your understanding of the subtle nuances each phrase carries:

It is worth noting that the choice between “I was wondering” and “I am wondering” can influence the level of urgency perceived by the listener. The latter signals that you are in the midst of thinking and possibly seeking input or guidance, whereas the former suggests a more reflective and polite inquiry.

“I am wondering” serves as a delicate verbal mechanism for expressing our thoughts in the English present tense , allowing the speaker to remain open-ended about their future actions. Embrace its use when you wish to articulate uncertainty and foster a sense of collaborative exploration in your dialogues.

Expressing General Curiosity: When to Use “I Wonder”

Ever caught yourself staring off into the distance, murmuring to yourself, “ I wonder why that is ?” This simple phrase, rooted in the English present simple , is our go-to when expressing curiosity . It encapsulates those moments where our thoughts take flight, and are driven by an innate desire to understand the world around us. When you use “I wonder,” you’re not necessarily looking for answers, but rather delighting in the art of questioning, engaging in casual pondering that feeds your curiosity.

It’s a reflection of the human condition to be curious, to reach out with our minds and engage with the unknown. “I wonder” can transform a simple thought into a profound statement, one that invites discussion but does not demand it. So, when do you embrace this expression? Use it any time when a question formulates out of genuine intrigue, and you wish to share it aloud or mull over it internally.

“I wonder” often serves as the beginning of wisdom, opening doors to new knowledge and perspectives.

Stating thoughts aloud can be a means of connecting with others, inviting them to explore alongside you. Unlike its counterparts, “I was wondering” or “I am wondering,” “I wonder” stands on its own as a marker of contemplation and philosophical inquiry.

Expressing curiosity openly can be an entry point to learning and connection. Whether you’re out in nature, contemplating the cosmos, or witnessing an intriguing event, the phrase serves as a simple yet profound way to engage with the joy of wondering. So, the next time you’re wrapped up in the enigma of the unknown, remember that it’s completely natural to vocalize your inquiry using the age-old adage, “I wonder.”

• Engage with the simplicity and beauty of the unknown using “I wonder.”
• Encourage others to share in your curiosity without the pressure of immediate solutions.
• Value the use of “I wonder” as a tool to vocalize your thoughts and questions in a setting that celebrates contemplative dialogue.

Remember, “I wonder” is not about confusion or indecision; it’s about allowing yourself the freedom to question, theorize, and simply revel in the unknown. It’s about enjoying the journey of thought, wherever it may lead, without the urgency of finding an immediate answer. Embrace it, and let your curiosity be the guide to your conversational adventures.

The Intricacies of Tenses: When Past Meets Present in Wonder

When you grasp the grammar intricacies of using “wonder” in its various forms, you navigate the subtle yet meaningful distinctions between past and present reflections. In the realm of English tenses , selecting the correct form of “wonder” reflects not only your mastery of tense application but also the relativity of your thinking with respect to time.

The phrase “I was wondering” suggests a thought journey that has culminated into an inquiry—it’s where your past mental wanderings prompt present dialogue. Conversely, the expressions “I am wondering” and “I wonder” stand firmly in the present tense , showcasing a continuum of thought that engages with the here and now.

Let’s uncover how these various expressions pivot around the fulcrum of time, each occupying a distinct place along the spectrum of past vs present tense . These aren’t just grammatical formalities; they are essential cogs in the mechanics of polite, effective communication.

Understanding when to use which tense is to respect the timeline of your own thoughts as they manifest into words—each tense serving a purpose, each word painting a picture of time.

Consider the following table which dissects these phrases according to their uses in time:

Using “I was wondering” equips you with a subtle, retrospective lens, perfect for approaching conversations with deference and tact, while “I am wondering” and “I wonder” align with the spontaneity and immediacy of the present. Being aware of the past vs present tense can thus influence the reception of your communication.

• Apply “I was wondering” to gently transition from reflection to courteous inquiry.
• Choose “I am wondering” to share active, in-the-moment considerations or dilemmas.
• Opt for “I wonder” when expressing curiosity or marveling without a direct follow-up action.

The journey through the landscape of English tenses reveals a terrain rich in nuances and subtleties. As you traverse this landscape, let your knowledge of tense application guide you, enhancing both the clarity and empathy of your communication.

“I Was Wondering If” vs. “I Was Wondering Whether”: A Matter of Choice

As you refine your English grammar choices , especially when crafting conditional expressions , you might hesitate over the subtle intricacies between “if” and “whether”. In the quest to express your thoughts and questions smoothly, understanding this distinction becomes vital. When you utter or pen, “I was wondering if,” or “I was wondering whether,” you are faced with options that, while they may seem minute, reveal the depth and flexibility of the English language.

These two conjunctions—”if” and “whether”—while often used interchangeably, can infuse your sentence with a slight variance in tone and clarity. “If” usually introduces a conditional statement, whereas “whether” indicates two or more alternatives. In the context of wondering, both can be used to present a soft inquiry or a polite suggestion.

Let’s explore the role of these language subtleties with a glance at practical examples:

• I was wondering if you’re available to meet on Monday.
• I was wondering whether you would prefer coffee or tea in the morning.

“Choice in language enhances precision in thought and politeness in expression.”

Although both “if” and “whether” convey similar meanings in this context, the nuance lies in the underlying implication of each word. Your mastery of these phrases represents more than knowledge of syntax; it’s a foray into deliberate and considerate communication.

The competence to select appropriately between “if” and “whether” is a reflection of your linguistic dexterity and social acumen, exemplifying your mindfulness towards the listener’s perspective. By attentively choosing your conjunctions, you unveil an array of communicative possibilities:

• In expressing uncertainties or making inquiries.
• In providing options or seeking permission.
• In demonstrating politeness and respect.

As your communication skills flourish, so too does your ability to delicately navigate between the lines of what is said and what is meant, thereby enriching your interactions with others. Understanding these diminutive, yet impactful distinctions, fosters clearer and more gracious exchanges.

Remember: in the realm of expressing curiosity and making requests, the choice is yours, whether you opt for “if” or “whether”. Each serves as a testament to the adaptability and beauty of the English language, allowing you to wonder with grace and tact.

Informal Queries: The Acceptance of “Just Wondering” in Conversation

In your casual conversations, you’ve likely encountered or used the phrase “just wondering.” This colloquial expression symbolizes the relaxed tone of informal questions , making it a staple in everyday spoken English. Such informalities serve to soften requests, signaling to your conversation partner that your inquiry is made with light-hearted curiosity rather than pressing demand. It’s important to appreciate how this informal vernacular complements the diverse expression of our language, adding shades of subtlety to colloquial speech .

Avoiding Common Errors: Why “I Am Wondered” Doesn’t Work

While embracing the ease of informal speech, you also need to be aware of grammar pitfalls . A common language error to sidestep is the misuse of tense, as seen in the phrase “I am wondered.” This mismatch of present and past tenses is not endorsed by English grammar conventions. The correct form would be “I am wondering,” reflecting an ongoing mental process. It’s small missteps like these that can inadvertently muddle your message, so watch out for such blunders in your communication.

Expanding Vocabulary: Synonyms for “Wondering” and “Wonder”

As you broaden your linguistic horizons, consider exploring synonyms for wonder to enrich your vocabulary expansion . Alternatives like ponder, think, ask oneself, meditate on, and reflect on can elegantly articulate varying degrees of curiosity or contemplation. Whether you’re striving for formality or crafting an engaging narrative, these substitutes for wondering allow for a more diverse expression . They not only enhance the depth of your vocabulary but also refine the clarity of your communication.

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Wander vs. wonder

| Grammarist

To wander is to move about with no destination or purpose. Wandering is a physical activity, though the word is sometimes used figuratively for nonphysical actions that are aimless (e.g., a movie or a conversation might wander). To wonder is to feel curiosity, to be in doubt, or to have a feeling of admiration. The verb also bears the less commonly used sense to have a feeling of awe —e.g. , she wondered at the beautiful scene outside the window . In either sense, wondering is a mental activity.

The words have separate origins in Old English.  Wonder  comes from  wunder , a noun for a marvel or a wondrous thing. 1 Wander  comes from  wandrian , meaning  to move aimlessly . 1 They took their modern forms by the 16th century (both words appear in Shakespeare), and they have remained more or less unchanged through the centuries.

Yet many inside and outside the force wonder whether the pileup of scandals and his increasingly authoritarian use of power have diminished his once-towering stature. [ New York Times ] I have a deep-seated need for love but I don’t often wander around Tesco looking for it. [ Guardian ] For years I’ve wondered what goes on behind the doors of a Buddhist temple. [ National Post ] At the worst of it, he found himself wandering in a park alone, mumbling to himself. [ Stuff.co.nz ]

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Wander or Wonder?

600+ Confusing Words Explained E-Book Let’s learn when to use wander vs. wonder. Should we say “I was wandering” or “I was wondering”?

Wander and wonder are two completely different words, but sometimes English learners confuse them because of their similar spelling and pronunciation.

For more simple and clear lessons about the differences between confusing words in English, get my e-book, 600+ Confusing English Words Explained!  These are words that English learners often ask me about, or often make mistakes with – and when you read this e-book, you can avoid those mistakes and use these words correctly.

Wander: meaning & examples

Wander is a physical activity.

It means to move around (usually walking) without a specific destination or purpose:

• On the first day of my trip, I spent a couple hours wandering around the city.
• We wandered through the park, looking at the flowers.
• I was wandering through the forest, enjoying the fresh air.

We typically wander around or wander through an area.

If you have small children or pets, you want to keep watching them to make sure they don’t  wander off  (meaning move away from you, without a specific definition). Note that it’s always  wander off,  never “wonder off.”

Wonder: Meaning & examples

Wonder is a mental activity.

It means to feel curiosity, to want to know something.

• I wonder what happened to my friend from elementary school? We haven’t been in touch for years.
• Your wife is wondering what time you’ll be home – please give her a call.
• I’m wondering whether the food at that restaurant is any good.

We typically use wonder + a question word or wonder + whether/if for situations that are “yes or no.”:

• I wonder when the supermarket closes. (Example answer: 6PM)
• I wonder if the supermarket is open right now. (Example answer: Yes)
• I’m wondering how he got that job without any experience.
• I’m wondering whether I should look for a new job.

Note: This is the verb form of “wonder.” There is also a noun form, which means “awe or admiration.”

Pronunciation of Wander and Wonder

The WAN of wander is like the WAN of “want.”

The WON of wonder is like the words “won” or “one.”

I hope you feel more confident in how to use wander vs. wonder and wandering vs. wondering!

Clear up your doubts about confusing words… and use English more confidently!

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Shayna Oliveira is the founder of Espresso English, where you can improve your English fast - even if you don’t have much time to study. Millions of students are learning English from her clear, friendly, and practical lessons! Shayna is a CELTA-certified teacher with 10+ years of experience helping English learners become more fluent in her English courses.

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Word Choice: Wander vs. Wonder

3-minute read

• 7th June 2021

The words ‘wander’ and ‘wonder’ sound similar. They’re also very close in spelling, with only one letter different. However, they differ completely in meaning. To make sure you can avoid errors in your writing , then, check out our guide below.

Wander (Walk Aimlessly)

‘Wander’ is usually a verb meaning ‘walk aimlessly or without purpose’:

I feel like wandering along the seafront.

He likes to wander around the garden after lunch.

More figuratively , we can use it to mean ‘go astray’. For instance:

I was so bored my mind started to wander .

He couldn’t concentrate, so his gaze wandered around the room.

Here, we draw on the sense of aimlessness set out above, but we apply it to things other than walking (e.g. letting your mind or eyes drift aimlessly).

As a noun , moreover, it always refers to an aimless or relaxed walk:

I might go for a wander in town.

And whether you use it as a verb or a noun, the correct spelling is ‘wander’.

Wonder (Think About or Be Amazed By)

As a verb, ‘wonder’ can mean ‘think about or question something’:

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I wonder what time dinner will be.

Don’t you ever wonder why the sky is blue?

Or it can mean ‘be amazed or surprised by something’:

He wondered at her beauty.

It also has a couple of uses as a noun. One is to refer to a feeling of amazement:

As they looked at the Taj Mahal, they were filled with wonder .

The other is to refer to person or thing that inspires such a feeling:

It was surely the eighth wonder of the world.

However you use it, though, this word is always spelled ‘wonder’.

Summary: Wander or Wonder?

These two words sound similar, but they have different meanings:

• Wander is usually a verb and can mean either ‘walk aimlessly’ or ‘go astray’. As a noun, it can also refer to an aimless walk.
• As a verb, wonder means ‘think about’ or ‘marvel at’. It can also be a noun that refers to a feeling of amazement (or something that inspires such a feeling).

If you are having trouble deciding which word to use, remember that both ‘wander’ and ‘walk’ start with ‘wa-’, which should help you remember ‘wander’ usually refers to walking. However, if you’d like more assistance, our proofreaders are available around the clock. Upload a free trial document to find out more.

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I Wonder or I Am Wondering: What’s the Difference?

By: Author Noelle Rebain

Posted on Published: May 29, 2021

Curious minds often wonder about complex questions, scientific theories, and even grammatical constructs — and there’s no doubt that the latter can make you scratch your head in wonder, too. So, what’s the difference between phrases like “I wonder” and “I am wondering”? 

The difference between “I wonder” and “I am wondering” comes down to tense. When you say “I wonder,” you are using the simple present tense, which indicates something is generally true, unchanging, or ongoing. “I am wondering” is present progressive, which means that something continuous occurs at the precise time you are speaking or in the future. 

Often, you’ll see “I wonder” used in hypothetical situations and “I am” or “I was” wondering for situations that require a higher degree of politeness when asking a question or making a request.  

Read on to learn more about these phrases and when and how to use them correctly in your writing. 

Wonder or Wondering: What’s the Difference?  

Whether you wonder how you’ll ever grasp the intricacies of English grammar, or you are wondering if you will finally pass that major exam that is right around the corner, both words, “wonder” versus “wondering,” communicate the same general meaning.  

The difference comes down to understanding the various ways you can communicate an idea in the present tense. There are several different forms of the present tense in English, but the two we’ll learn about here are actually simpler than you might think.

Before we get into too much detail about how to use simple present versus present progressive, let’s first break down the difference in meaning between “wonder” versus “wondering.”    

What Does “Wonder” Mean?

The word “wonder” simply means that you are asking yourself a question or expressing a desire to know or learn more about something ( source ). We most often use it as a verb, meaning it is an action word — something that you are physically doing or even a state of being ( source ).  

You can actually be in a “state of wonder.” All that means is that while everyone around you may think you are simply looking up at the stars, for example, you are really gazing at them with admiration, curiosity, or questioning the mysteries of the universe.  

But, in that case, you are using the term as a noun.  

Using “Wonder” as a Verb or Noun

First, take a look at the two sentences below, each using the word “wonder” as a traditional verb.

1.     I sometimes wonder if my husband will ever show up on time!

2.     I wondered at the beauty of the night sky as we set up our camping gear.

Both uses of “wonder” above are verbs. Both illustrate the action of wondering, thinking, or questioning something, whether it is simple, such as a friend showing up on time, or more esoteric, like discovering the intricacies of the universe.  

As we mentioned a moment ago, wonder can also be a noun. The meaning is not different at all, but rather than an action, wonder becomes a feeling experienced with admiration or the experience of something strange or new. Here’s an example:

3.     I gazed in wonder at the magnificent replication of four past presidents of the United States on Mount Rushmore.  

Above, wonder is a thing or idea or, more specifically, a feeling of awe or amazement. 

Often, you’ll find the word “wonder” with an “-ing” attached at the end. It doesn’t change its meaning, necessarily, but it does change how you will use it and in what tense you are writing.   

What Does “Wondering” Mean?

When you add an “-ing” to the word “wonder,” you are simply changing the tense of the verb from present simple to present continuous or progressive, which indicates that what you are wondering about is something that you are thinking in that moment, at that precise time.

It may mean that you are questioning or thinking about something that you do not know the answer to, or it could be something that you’ve not yet made a decision about. Let’s take a look:

1.     I am wondering what I’ll have for dinner tonight.

2.     I am wondering if my dog is going to get along with my sister’s cat.  

In the first sentence, the speaker is in the midst of making a decision about dinner — it is something he or she is wondering at that moment. 

The second sentence is quite similar but indicates that the speaker is wondering about something he or she is uncertain about at that time or perhaps in the future — whether the dog will get along with the cat.  

Understanding “-ing” Verbs

The “-ing” form of a verb, as we mentioned earlier, changes the tense of the verb that you are using. In the case of “wonder,” adding the “-ing” communicates to your reader that you are writing in the progressive or continuous verb tense ( source ).

Don’t get confused by progressive versus continuous; you’ll find the terms used interchangeably, and they mean the same thing. 

Present progressive/continuous simply shows a continuous action that is happening now.  While that may sound a little bit confusing or contradictory, think of it this way — when you are wondering about something, you often do not have an answer immediately. 

In other words, you are likely going to wonder about it for a while, whether a few hours in the case of deciding what you will eat for dinner or the foreseeable future if you are wondering about something more abstract or evasive, such as how the stars hang in the sky.   

As a note, you can also add “-ing” to the word “wonder” to create a noun. This is probably the least common use of the word, but it is worth mentioning.  

We call nouns like these “gerunds.” While we derive a gerund from a verb, they function as a noun since they are the subject of your clause/sentence. Here’s an example:

1.     Wondering is what I often do when I get distracted in school. 

Here, wondering is an idea, a noun — the verb (do) comes later in the sentence.  

We’ll talk a bit more about tenses in the next section and break down more specifically the difference in usage between “I wonder” versus “I am wondering.”

“I Wonder” Versus “I Am Wondering”: Knowing Which Phrase to Choose  

Again, there is no distinct difference in meaning between these two phrases. One is something that can be generally true — whether in the past, present, or future — or unchanging; the other can be ongoing but happens at a particular present moment.  

Tenses can be a bit tricky, and we won’t cover too much about the many variations of tense in English grammar. Still, here, we’ll break down present simple and present progressive/continuous with example sentences so that you can see the difference between the two.

Understanding Simple Present Tense

When you write in the simple present tense, you are generally using the base form of a verb, which is why grammarians call it “simple.” It’s the easiest to form — the only time you’ll need to change the form of the verb is if you are writing in the third person point of view. In that case, you’ll simply need to add an “-s” at the end of the word. 

In the case of “wonder,” your sentence would look like this:

1.     I wonder if school will be canceled due to the snow.  

2.     He wonders if school will be canceled due to the snow.

The first sentence is in the first-person point of view (I), the second in the third (he). These sentences show a general truth. Verbs written in the simple present tense can also express habits, fixed or unchanging situations, emotions, and even wishes or desires ( source ). 

Remember, the only thing simple present cannot communicate is something that is happening right now. For that, you’ll need that “-ing” ending; we’ll get into that next, but, first, take a look at a few more examples showing how you can use “I wonder” in a sentence.

Using “I Wonder” in a Sentence”

While using “I wonder” in a sentence is perfectly correct, you probably won’t see or use it as often as you will “I am wondering.” That’s because, in general, if you are wondering about something, you are thinking about it at that moment.  

To communicate general wonder or an unchanging habit that reflects wonder, you might say something like the following:

1.     I wonder when world peace will occur, if ever.

2.     I wonder if the problems around climate change will get better.

3.     She often wonders if her parents will stay together forever. 

4.     He wonders if college is the right decision for him.

In each of the examples above, wonder is something that each speaker/writer is expressing, not necessarily at that moment, but rather an ongoing question — one that is likely to remain unanswered for a period of time.   

Understanding Present Progressive/Continuous Tense

Now that you have a good handle on simple present tense, it’s time to break down present progressive/continuous a bit more. Here is where you’ll use “I am wondering” in your writing.

The easiest way to double-check yourself and determine if you need to use present progressive/continuous is to ask yourself, “Is it something I’m wondering about right this very moment?” If your answer is yes, you’ll need to write “I am wondering.” 

You can form the present progressive/continuous by combining a helping verb (to be) and your present participle, which is simply a verb ending in “-ing” ( source ). 

So, when you write “I am wondering,” I (noun) is the subject of your sentence, am is the helping verb, and wondering is the present participle with your “-ing” ending. 

Present progressive can also indicate something that will happen in the future, but, regardless, the actual wondering is still happening in the moment. 

You may be wondering about what grade you received on a test, for example. You are wondering (thinking or questioning) at that moment about something you will find out in the future.  

Using “I am Wondering” in a Sentence

As you add the word “wonder” to your vocabulary, you’ll more often use it in present progressive form versus present simple. Actually, even more often, you’ll use it in the past tense — we’ll get to that next.  

Here are a few examples using “I am wondering” in a sentence:

1.     I’m wondering if I should go visit my parents this weekend.

2.     I’m wondering why I haven’t heard from my sister by now.

3.     He is wondering whether or not he should cancel class today.

4.     She’s wondering if she should break up with her boyfriend.

Again, in each of the examples above, the speaker/writer is wondering about something at that very moment. It is not a general truth, habit, or unchanging event; it’s something happening right now, as you are speaking or writing.

What About Past Tense?: When to use “I Was Wondering”  

While we’ve broken down the difference between “I wonder” and “I am wondering,” one thing we have not mentioned is the phrase “I was wondering.” This, actually, is the most common way in which you will see the word “wondering” in writing and speaking. 

Rather than present tense, the combination of “was” and “wondering” indicates past continuous tense since “was” is a past tense linking or helping verb. Past tense always communicates something that has already happened. In this case, the action of wondering has already occurred.

What makes “I was wondering” past continuous is the idea that it implies you started wondering about something in the past before you began speaking. Still, you continue to wonder about the subject. 

Quite frequently, you’ll see this phrase used in situations where an added degree of politeness or formality is required, such as asking someone on a date, for example. 

If you’d like to learn a bit more about past tense and how to use it correctly in your writing, take a look at “ Past Due or Passed Due: Which Is Correct? ” 

Using “I Was Wondering” in a Sentence

There are many ways to say that you were wondering about something. 

Below are a few example sentences. Remember that the phrase indicates something you were wondering about in the past and have since ceased (past simple) or something you began wondering about in the past but continue to do so in the present (past continuous). 

1.     I was wondering if you’d like to go to the movies with me tonight. 

2.     Yesterday, I was wondering if practice was canceled, but it was not. 

This article was written for strategiesforparents.com.  

In the first sentence, “was wondering” indicates past continuous, and it also conveys politeness and formality. In the second, the speaker wondered about practice yesterday but no longer wonders about it today.   

Final Thoughts  

Whether you are writing in the past tense, present tense, or progressive/continuous, it can be a lot to wrap your mind around at first. 

Just remember that the main difference between “I wonder,” “I am wondering,” and “I was wondering” comes down to whether something is happening in an ongoing or continuous way, right now, or in the past.  

Laying in Bed or Lying in Bed: Which Is Correct?

Sunday 13th of June 2021

[…] For more information regarding “-ing” verbs, read our article on “I wonder” or “I am wondering.” […]

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"i am just wondering if" vs "i am just wondering whether"

Last Updated: March 30, 2024

i am just wondering if

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

• I am just wondering if you have any plans for the weekend.
• I am just wondering if you could help me with this issue.
• I am just wondering if it's going to rain tomorrow.
• I am just wondering if there are any available seats for the concert.
• I am just wondering if you received my email.

Alternatives:

• I am just wondering whether
• I am just curious if

i am just wondering whether

• I am just wondering whether you will be attending the meeting.
• I am just wondering whether it's the right decision.
• I am just wondering whether there are any updates on the project.
• I am just wondering whether you have any suggestions.
• I am just wondering whether you have seen the latest movie.
• I am just wondering if
• I am just curious whether

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just wondering

• 1.1 Alternative forms
• 1.2 Etymology
• 1.3 Interjection

English [ edit ]

Alternative forms [ edit ].

• JW ( initialism )

Etymology [ edit ]

From the phrase I was — or we were — just wondering .

Interjection [ edit ]

• ( informal ) Used to qualify a question or action, explaining it as motivated by curiosity .

• English lemmas
• English interjections
• English multiword terms
• English informal terms

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“I Was Wondering” vs. “I Am Wondering” vs. “I Wonder”

When using the word “wonder,” it would help to know which phrases work best with it. There are a few ways we can use it, and those either make statements or ask questions. This article will explore the three main uses of “wonder” and which works best.

What Is The Difference Between “I Was Wondering”, “I Am Wondering”, And “I Wonder”?

“I was wondering” is used to make an indirect request. We usually follow the phrase with a question to ask permission. “I am wondering” is used to share your present thoughts, while “I wonder” is used to express thoughts in a similar way, so sometimes it is not said aloud.

The key differences come from the tenses we want to use.

“Was” is a past tense word. We use it in this phrase to show that we were previously thinking to ourselves, but now we are acting on whatever that thought might have been. For example:

• I was wondering if you could help me.

“I am wondering” and “I wonder” are both related to the present tense. They are almost identical in meaning, but we typically use “I am wondering” as the present progressive tense, which we mostly use when we want to determine what happens next:

• I am wondering what I should do.

“I wonder” is a much more general way to establish or express our thoughts to others.

• I wonder what happened over there.

When Should I Use “I Was Wondering”?

Let’s start by looking more into the three phrases. We’ll start with the one that’s most appropriate when asking for permission or making a request.

“I was wondering” works whenever you want to indirectly ask for permission or help. It is a polite way to introduce a question or ask for something that might otherwise be portrayed as rude.

You can see how impactful “I was wondering” is on the following examples:

• Can you help me?

The two requests are identical, but using “I was wondering” helps the listener to understand that we’re not pressuring them, and we’re trying to be as polite as possible.

You might also find the word “just” comes into play. This mostly applies to informal situations and can typically show up in spoken English. Here’s how it would look:

• I was just wondering if you have a moment to spare.

The “just” makes the request after it seems more like an afterthought. This helps to show the listener that we’re not desperate for their permission, and we will be okay if they turn us down. However, their acceptance would be greatly appreciated in these situations.

When Should I Use “I Am Wondering”?

“I am wondering” works to express our thoughts at present. It’s a little more specific than any of the others.

You can use “I am wondering” when you want to write something that is in the present progressive form. This means we are thinking about something presently, but we’re not sure what our future actions are going to be (until we’ve decided).

There aren’t too many cases where this phrase works all that well. It’s definitely the most specific of the forms. Still, we might see it as follows :

• I am wondering if I should go after her.

As you can see, we haven’t decided upon our next action. We are trying to decide whether it’s worth doing or not, which is what “I am wondering” is trying to do for us.

The idea is that by the time we finish “wondering,” we should know what to do.

Again, “just” comes into play to make the phrase even more informal than before:

• I am just wondering if I should stick around for this.

It’s similar to “I was just wondering,” but this time, “just” shows an urgency to the “wondering” action. Typically, we don’t have long to make our final decision, and we’re showing that we’re trying to think as quickly as we can.

When Should I Use “I Wonder”?

Finally, we come to “I wonder.” This is the more general present expression of thought we can use. It would help to see how it differs from “I am wondering.”

“I wonder” is a general way to express a thought. We typically use it when we want to know more about certain situations or things that have happened around us.

You can see how the phrase differs from “I am wondering” by referring to the following example:

• I wonder if anybody noticed me leaving.

As you can see, “I wonder” is a simple way to express our current thought. We might currently be thinking about our previous exit from something and wondering if “anybody noticed” or if we weren’t caught.

Examples Of How To Use “I Was Wondering” In A Sentence

Some further examples will go a long way to help you understand the three phrases. We’ll start with the requesting phrase.

• I was wondering if you would be able to follow me.
• I was just wondering if you had a moment to spare to help me.
• I was wondering if we could try again!
• I was just wondering if you enjoyed yourself or not.
• I was wondering whether I could be of assistance, so I came to ask you.
• I was wondering if you needed help with that, and I’m happy to assist.
• I was just wondering if I should ask you for help.

“I was wondering” works to ask permission to do something. Sometimes, we use it to make a request, while other times, we might use it to offer our own services to someone else.

Examples Of How To Use “I Am Wondering” In A Sentence

Now, let’s look at the more specific statement we can make to share our thoughts or emotions.

• I am wondering whether it’s worth me sticking around for this.
• I am just wondering if I should still be here or if it’s better that I leave.
• I am wondering if you need me at all.
• I’m wondering whether I should move house by the end of this month or not.
• I’m just wondering if there’s time for me to visit my mother before I go back.
• I am wondering whether I should move on to the next idea.
• I am just wondering what my next move will be!

“I am wondering” works to express our current thought process. It works when we haven’t quite decided what we want to do after our current thought or action, and we are expressing our ideas before making that final decision.

Examples Of How To Use “I Wonder” In A Sentence

Finally, we come to the more general statement yet again. Let’s see how “I wonder” works in more situations.

• I wonder whether he still thinks about me or not.
• I wonder if anyone actually cares for him.
• I wonder what happened here.
• I wonder who thought it would be clever to do something like that.
• I wonder who sent me that text message.
• I wonder whether my boss has somebody he loves in his life.
• I wonder if this place will hire me after they learn what I’ve done.

“I wonder” is a simple way to express our current thoughts or ideas. There are often no further decisions needed here, and we are just expressing what’s come into our minds.

Is It “I Was Wondering If” Or “I Was Wondering Whether”?

You might have noticed from some of the above examples that we used both “if” and “whether.”

“I was wondering if” and “I was wondering whether” are both correct. In these cases, “if” and “whether” are synonymous, and we can use either to balance out the idea or request we’ve put forward for the listener.

• I was wondering if you had time for me.
• I was wondering whether you had time for me.

Is It Acceptable To Use “Just Wondering” As A Question?

“Just wondering” is acceptable when used in an informal setting. We mostly use it in spoken English because the rules are more relaxed. It works well, and many native speakers will use it to ask permission or make a request.

• Just wondering, would I be able to help you with this?
• Just wondering, have you got time to help me with my project?

Is It Ever Correct To Use “I Am Wondered”?

“I am wondered” is not correct. We cannot use the phrase “I am” with the past tense verb “wondered.” “I am” is the present tense, and we use the auxiliary verb “am” to show that we are currently doing something. “Wondered” implies we have finished our action, which is impossible.

You should only keep the present tense form if you want to be correct:

• Correct: I am wondering if I should leave.
• Incorrect: I am wondered whether I can stay here.

“Wondering” And “Wonder” – Synonyms

Finally, let’s look at some synonyms and alternatives you might be able to use. These synonyms can replace “wondering” or “wonder,” so take your pick.

• Meditate on

You may also like:

• Question Mark After “I Was Wondering…”: Complete Guide (15 Examples)

10 Better Ways To Say “I Was Wondering”

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here .

• Is It Correct To Say “Kindly Request”? Explained For Beginners
• Request Of or For? When to Use Each (With Examples)
• Is “May You Please Explain This” Grammatically Correct? Explained For Beginners

Example sentences just wonder

They just wonder why they feel gloomy, and accept it as an ineluctable aspect of life.

I just wonder if it will bring out the culprits.

I just wonder how many of these people wanting you to set up direct debits for charities are paid a wage for doing this.

I just wonder how long it will be before they are prosecuted for breaking some sort of law.

I just wonder how many more things are swept under the carpet?

Definition of 'wonder' wonder

Definition of 'just' just

Cobuild collocations just wonder.

Browse alphabetically just wonder

• just what the doctor ordered
• just wonder
• just worry about
• just-in-time
• just-in-time delivery
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'J'

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Just Wondering...with Norm Hitzges

With an unprecedented legacy spanning 48 remarkable years in the radio waves, Norm is back to captivate your curiosity and ignite your intellect through this enthralling podcast. Uploaded five days a week, "Just Wondering" is your daily dose of inspiration, insight, and interaction.

Join Norm and his illustrious guests for engaging interviews that offer an intimate glimpse into the minds of the movers and shakers across diverse fields.  

In a world inundated with information, "Just Wondering" is a refreshing oasis that celebrates the art of contemplation. Tune in to "Just Wondering" and unlock a treasure trove of ideas, stories, and musings that invigorate your mind and remind you of the boundless wonders that surround us.

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Officials: Man arrested for allegedly decapitating dog he just adopted, dumping it in park

ST> PETERSBURG, Fla. (TMX) -- A Florida man was arrested this week after a dog he adopted just days earlier was found decapitated and wrapped in a plastic bag in park, authorities said.

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a report of a deceased dog wrapped in a plastic bag in the area of East Beach at Fort Desoto Park, south of St. Petersburg on Mullet Key, at around 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday.

Deputies arrived to find “a male bulldog mix with its head decapitated, floating in the mangroves.”

The dog was implanted with a microchip, which was scanned by Pinellas County Animal Services, revealing him to be a 4-year-old named Dexter. The dog had been adopted from Pinellas County Animal Services just days earlier, on May 10, by 66-year-old Domingo R. Rodriguez.

Deputies visited Rodriguez’s residence, where he admitted adopting Dexter and said he must have run away overnight on May 10. Rodriguez also admitted to traveling to Fort Desoto Park on May 11, however, and gave investigators “several inconsistent statements.”

Rodriguez was arrested and charged with one count of animal cruelty and one count of disposal of bodies of dead animals.

The sheriff’s office said the investigation is ongoing.

Copyright 2023 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. TMX contributed to this report

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10 Best DC Heroines (Who Arent Wonder Woman or Supergirl)

Wonder Woman is the leading lady of DC Comics , not to mention the most iconic female superhero in the world. She's followed closely by Kara Zor-El, a.k.a. Supergirl, the Last Daughter of Krypton. Though these two powerhouses are the biggest names in the DC Universe, they're not the only women who risk it all to save the world.

There are several other DC female superheroes who, through a combination of power, valor and wit, rise to the call of heroism against all manner of threats. Some of these are more street-level vigilantes, while others have intergalactic power. Whether they're particularly popular or obscure, DC's female superheroes are some of the best in comics.

Donna Troy Is an Underrated (and Confusing) Titan

First appearance: the brave and the bold #60 by bob haney, bruno premiani, robert kanigher and ross andru, wonder woman: all of her love interests in the comics, ranked.

Donna Troy is Wonder Woman's younger sister and the original Wonder Girl. A classic member of the Teen Titans , Donna has been associated with most versions of the team. Even with this strong sense of family, her tragedies shook her. This is amid many confusing and contradictory backstories that have made her one of the most convoluted comic characters.

Despite this, she's never wavered about doing the right thing, and she's always been a sort of den mother to the Titans. Donna possesses all the powers and compassion of Wonder Woman, though she sadly doesn't get the same renown. Nevertheless, she's important to the Titans and the Amazons, with her connection to the former stronger than Diana's ties to the Justice League.

Vixen Wields the Power of the Animal Kingdom

First appearance: action comics #521 by gerry conway and bob oksner.

Vixen brings the powers of all animals to the fight against evil. This means that she can become as fast as a cheetah, as strong as an elephant, or as nimble as a rabbit. Having access to these abilities through a totem passed down through her family, Vixen fought poachers across the world, including her native continent of Africa. Born Mari McCabe, she balances her role in teams such as the Justice League with her career as a model.

Though she sadly didn't get her solo title when she debuted, she has become a prominent part of the DC Universe. This included a stint on both beloved and controversial Justice League teams. Due to her powers, she has a special bond with heroes such as Animal Man, and she's also known for her romance with Bronze Tiger and is quick to give others a second chance.

Huntress Is the Best Batman Ally

First appearance: dc super stars #17 by paul levitz, joe staton, joe orlando and bob layton (wayne); the huntress #1 by joey cavalieri and joe staton, 10 golden age comic strips that never died.

Though originally portrayed as Helena Wayne, Batman's daughter in the future of Earth-2, the modern version of Huntress is Helena Bertinelli. The (sometimes) daughter of a mob boss, Helena becomes a vigilante to avenge the crimes committed against her. She's fairly headstrong and doesn't see herself as a sidekick to the Dark Knight, let alone a version of "Batgirl." She often goes further in pursuit of justice than Batman might. Her grittier sense of heroism contrasts her with the rest of the Batman Family .

Despite this, Helena Bertinelli is a more resourceful ally when defending the streets of Gotham City. While Bertinelli is known as a member of the Birds of Prey, the Helena Wayne version is tied to Infinity, Inc., a spinoff team of the Justice Society. She also showcased the legacy of Batman and her mother, Catwoman, as her desire for justice drove her to take on a costumed persona despite her father not pushing her to do so.

Hawkgirl Deals With the Weight of the Hawkman Legacy

First appearance: jsa: secret files #1 by james robin, david s. goyer and scott benefiel.

The Kendra Saunders version of Hawkgirl had difficulty dealing with her family's legacy, which made sense. She was the granddaughter of the original Hawkgirl and to some unexplained extent, also her reincarnation. This made it hard to work alongside her partner, Hawkman, who still saw her as Shayera Hall . Her Nth metal legacy was a lot heavier than a feather.

Kendra is an alien to both her status as a reincarnated human and her ties to the extraterrestrial world of Thanagar. She's also had a history filled with abuse, which gives her a rougher edge than even Carter Hall at times. Even with this backstory, she always flies above it all, ready to meet evil with a mace in the face on the Justice League, the Justice Society or any other group that needs help.

Cyclone Was a Windy Wicked Fangirl

First appearance: kingdom come #2 by mark waid and alex ross.

The granddaughter of the Golden Age Red Tornado, Cyclone was a young member of the Justice Society of America who had more than the usual flights of fancy. Controlling the wind and being able to fly, her powers reflected her energetic attitude, which refused to be held down on the ground. Beyond just being a superhero, she was also a fangirl for musicals, namely a Broadway hit.

Bonding with fellow young adult Stargirl, Cyclone also loved talking about the musical "Wicked." Even her costume looked like a not-so-wicked Witch of the West, and despite her inexperience, she reveled in being a superhero and representing her grandmother's legacy. Taken danger head-on once she joined the JSA, the wind witch was always quick to try defying gravity.

Katana Is an Expert Sword Master

First appearance: the brave and the bold #200 by mike w. barr and jim aparo, 10 vintage batman comics every dc fan should read at least once.

Operating as a member of the Outsiders, the Birds of Prey, and even the Suicide Squad, it's best advised not to get killed by Katana. Wielding a deadly blade called the Soultaker, she's just as proficient with it and other weapons as the Soultaker is sharp. When weapons fail, she's also an incredible hand-to-hand combatant. Thus, her time on the Outsiders with Batman and Bronze Tiger made the group something of a dream team in terms of skill.

Katana represents the street-level aspects of the DC Universe and has ties to Japanese organized crime. Though her backstory as Tatsu Yamashiro has changed, her skill has never wavered. In fact, her talent with a blade may be better than anyone else in the DC Universe, putting her in the top tier of martial artists.

Mera Gracefully Handles the Pressures of Atlantis

First appearance: aquaman #11 by jack miller and nick cardy, aquaman: his 10 best powers, explained.

Though the nature of the underwater kingdom of Xebel changes from continuity to continuity, the deep waters of that world always lead to Atlantis and, thus, Mera to Aquaman. Perhaps even more than her husband, she's well-prepared to deal with diplomatic endeavors, especially when the kingdom is at war. She consistently stands by Arthur's side and looks out for what's best for the people of Atlantis.

She also has a hot temper, which tends to flair up after she bottles up her emotions. The death of her and Aquaman's son in the old continuity caused a deep rift between the couple, and her boiling rage allowed Mera to once become a member of the Red Lantern Corps. Even without this emotional jewelry, she wields the physical powers of an Atlantean and has control over water itself. This makes her more than able to defend Atlantis, even without Aquaman.

Zatanna Is DCs Main Mistress of Magic

First appearance: hawkman #4 by gardner fox and murphy anderson.

No heroine in the DC Universe is more adept at the mystic arts than Zatanna. Though she moonlights as a mere stage magician, Zatana Zatarra has all manner of mystic abilities. These typically manifest in magical spells where the intended effect is uttered backward. Though these powers aren't limitless, they are some of the best among DC heroes.

Zatanna has membership with various magical groups, namely Justice League Dark. She's also the main magical representative on the main Justice League team, filling a niche that even Wonder Woman doesn't quite qualify for. While her top hat and outfit make her seem pedestrian to other superheroes, Zatanna can easily conjure up the greatest spells to pull far more than a rabbit out of her hat.

Black Canary Is the Toughest Bird of Prey

First appearance: flash comics #86 by robert kanigher and carmine infantino, 10 best green arrow comics for non-green arrow fans.

Tied to various DC teams, including the Birds of Prey, the Justice League and the Justice Society, Black Canary is more than just a "blonde bombshell." Highly trained in various martial arts, she can scrap with the best of them and still come out on top, having already figured out the perfect counter to any style. When that fails her, she can unleash her powerful "Canary Cry" scream attack, blistering the ears of anyone who stands in her way.

Black Canary has worked with and trained several DC heroes, and she's looked up to by just as many. Not only does she have a solid working relationship with Batman and Wildcat, but she's an especially pretty bird when protecting the streets of Star City with Green Arrow. Most importantly, her ties to Huntress and Oracle help to keep all streets safe whenever the Birds of Prey take on international crime.

Jessica Cruz Is DCs Bravest Green Lantern

First appearance: green lantern #20 by geoff johns and ethan van sciver.

Jessica Cruz is one of the more recent human additions to the Green Lantern Corps and also one of the most courageous. Traumatized after surviving a horrific incident that left her friends murdered, Jessica had to overcome her crippling anxiety and the tempting entity Volthoom, who controlled the ring of the deceased Earth-3 villain, Power Ring. Succeeding at both, she proved worthy of being a Green Lantern and worked alongside fellow ring-slinger Simon Baz .

Jessica embodies the Green Lantern Corps ethos of overcoming great fear, as her trauma is perhaps greater than any other Lantern. Despite how rough she's had it, she faces evil head-on and refuses to be negative about life. She's also one of the best modern DC characters, with many fans finding her relatable and exceedingly heroic. Proving that she was always worthy of Green Lantern's light, Jessica Cruz shows that anyone can overcome their past and prevent evil from escaping their sight.

Created by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson

Alice Munro’s stories had a depth most novelists only dream of

A fellow short-story writer recalls some favorites by Munro and wonders at the way they leaped through time.

It surprises me that I can’t remember the first time that I read Alice Munro, who died on Monday at 92 . As a writer who let 13 years lapse between his two novels and who still (to the patient dismay of his publisher) prefers the short story to all other forms, I have vivid memories of most of my first encounters with the masters and mavericks of the story, the ones who did it better than anyone while also radically expanding the parameters of what “it” could be: Denis Johnson, Raymond Carver, Donald Barthelme, Flannery O’Connor, James Alan McPherson, William Trevor, Joy Williams, Lorrie Moore. I can tell you where I was, which story it was and whom I have to thank for bringing each of them into my life. But Munro felt like she’d just always been there. It’s like how on a clear day in Portland, Ore., where I live, you can see Mount Hood from downtown. You never notice the moment that it appears; you just look up and there it is, and has been all along, even when you can’t see it.

The body of Munro’s work is expansive, almost overwhelming. This is a quality she shares with her fellow Nobel laureate Bob Dylan. There are enough hits to fill two volumes of “Selected Stories” that together run to nearly 1,500 pages, and enough left out of those to justify seeking out the 14 collections published between 1968 and 2012. (One or two have been billed at times as novels, but come on.) Some of these books are stronger than others, but there is no minor work. (And with apologies, Bob, she’s got you there.) Ask 10 Munro devotees to list their top 10 stories, and you won’t read the same list twice. If you’re looking for a place to start, you could do worse than to pick up “The Progress of Love” (1986) or “Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage” (2001), both of which boast a disproportionate number of her greatest hits, alongside deep cuts that may leave you wondering why they weren’t hits themselves.

Upon the announcement of Munro’s passing, tweets poured in from across the literary world. Laura van den Berg, a novelist and story writer, wrote: “I’ve learned an endless amount from Munro’s refusal of clean resolution and her embrace of unfurling possibility. The quiet art of wrestling with the big questions.” Novelist Rumaan Alam wrote, “The truth is that Alice Munro is immortal, an absolute genius.” Curtis Sittenfeld, a best-selling author several times over, and Elliott Holt, a story writer and an editor at the Yale Review, both described Munro as “my favorite writer.” A young writer named Sterling HolyWhiteMountain, whose fiction has appeared in the New Yorker, wrote, “Her work has an off the charts emotional IQ — no one comes close.” HolyWhiteMountain, who lives in rural Montana, also described Munro as “secretly the great defender of rural people and small town life. The writer who pushes back on urbanity and the city but never stupidly.”

Upon the announcement of Munro’s Nobel win in 2013, critic James Wood, who had long despaired of her chances of winning, wrote in the New Yorker: “Everyone gets called ‘our Chekhov.’ All you have to do nowadays is write a few half-decent stories and you are ‘our Chekhov.’ But Alice Munro really is our Chekhov — which is to say, the English language’s Chekhov.” I think that’s right, but it may not go far enough. Like Chekhov, Munro found the deep meaning in the small moments that might define or derail a life. But her stories, despite their dogged realism and homely subject matter, are boldly experimental in their structures and approaches to narrative. A Munro story may run upward of 40 or 50 pages, be as densely plotted as a novel, and cover years or decades, though rarely in linear fashion. The stories are intricately layered marvels of both excess and economy. If she had written Chekhov’s “The Lady With the Dog,” it would still start and end where it does, but it would be narrated by Gurov’s daughter on her deathbed, piecing together the story of her father’s life-altering affair between memories of her own love affairs, her mother’s broken heart and the disturbing ease with which she can imagine it all from Anna’s point of view.

“Time is both her subject and her medium,” Lorrie Moore wrote in a 2002 review of “Hateship, Friendship” for the New York Review of Books . “Her narratives leap and U-turn through time, and the actual subject and emotion of a story may be deferred in such gymnastic travel, or may be multiple or latent.” Emily Adrian, a novelist who has taught classes on Munro, gave me her favorite example of such a leap: “In ‘Miles City, Montana,’ at the end of the first act, the narrator jumps forward in time and reveals that she has not spoken to her then-husband in decades and no longer knows anything about him. The story is otherwise focused on the period of time where the couple are together, but every line is informed by the shock of that revelation and its looming inevitability.”

“Miles City, Montana” (from “The Progress of Love”) is among my own favorite Munro stories. If I had to pick nine more, let’s see: the title story of “Friend of My Youth” (1990) as well as “Meneseteung,” from that same volume; “White Dump,” also from “The Progress of Love”; “Cortes Island” and “Rich as Stink,” from “The Love of a Good Woman” (1998); “Tricks,” from “Runaway” (2004); “Queenie,” from “Hateship, Friendship”; “Walker Brothers Cowboy,” from “Dance of the Happy Shades” (1968); “The Albanian Virgin,” from “Open Secrets” (1994). I’ve listed them in the order that I thought of them. Ask me again another day and I might switch out some or all of the back seven. The first three will never be unseated.

In the introduction to her first “Selected Stories” (1996), Munro wrote: “A story is not like a road to follow … it’s more like a house. You go inside and stay there for a while, wandering back and forth and settling where you like and discovering how the room and corridors relate to each other, how the world outside is altered by being viewed from these windows. … It also has a sturdy sense of itself, of being built out of its own necessity, not just to shelter or beguile you.” You’ll likely see all or part of that quote in many of the richly deserved eulogies, retrospectives and tributes that Munro is going to get over the coming days. It says something fundamental and important about what it means to choose this life, to be — and to keep being — the person who finds self-evident necessity in building bizarre shelters nobody asked for, and then waiting to see if anyone will be tempted to enter them and then beguiled enough to stay.

I’m reminded of the last lines of “Family Furnishings,” a story I didn’t put in my top 10 but now am already regretting — but in place of what? Here’s how the narrator winds up her story, and with her words I wind up mine as well: “I did not think of the story I would make … but of the work I wanted to do, which seemed more like grabbing something out of the air than constructing stories. The cries of the crowd came to me like big heartbeats, full of sorrows. Lovely formal-sounding waves, with their distant, almost inhuman assent and lamentation. This was what I wanted, this was what I thought I had to pay attention to, this was how I wanted my life to be.”

Justin Taylor is a Book World contributing writer and the author, most recently, of the novel “ Reboot .”

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Jeannie Epper, Stunt Double to the Stars, Is Dead at 83

Her first stunt was riding a horse bareback down a cliff when she was 9. She went on to soar on the hit TV series “Wonder Woman” and in many other places.

By Penelope Green

Jeannie Epper had at least 100 screen roles, maybe even 150 — no one is quite sure. But because she was a stunt double, galloping on horseback, crashing cars and kicking down doors for the stars of films and television shows, hers was not a household name.

In her heyday, however, Ms. Epper was ubiquitous. She hurtled through the air most weeks as Lynda Carter’s stunt double on the hit television series “Wonder Woman” and mimed Ms. Carter’s leggy lope. She tumbled through a scrum of mud and rocks as Kathleen Turner’s double in the 1984 comedy-adventure film “Romancing the Stone,” which also starred Michael Douglas. She threw punches for Linda Evans in one of her many ballyhooed cat fights with Joan Collins on the frothy, long-running 1980s nighttime soap opera “Dynasty.”

And, in what she often said was her favorite stunt — or gag, to use the industry term — Ms. Epper skidded a Corvette into a 180-degree turn as Shirley MacLaine’s character in “Terms of Endearment” (1983), neatly hurling Jack Nicholson’s double into the Gulf of Mexico.

Ms. Epper, whose bruising career spanned 70 years, died on Sunday at her home in Simi Valley, Calif. She was 83.

Her daughter, Eurlyne Epper, confirmed the death. She said her mother had been ill for some time and caught an infection during a recent hospital visit.

Ms. Epper was stunt royalty; her father was John Epper, a Swiss-born master horseman who doubled in westerns for Gary Cooper, Randolph Scott and Ronald Reagan. Like her five siblings, Ms. Epper joined the family business.

She was just 9 when she rode a horse bareback down a cliff in her first stunt. Her first film credit, however, as The Hollywood Reporter discovered , was “Cheyenne Autumn,” a 1964 western directed by John Ford. And she was a regular on the western series “The Big Valley,” which ran on ABC from 1965 to 1969, often doubling for Barbara Stanwyck.

“Wonder Woman,” which debuted in 1976 on ABC, was a watershed moment not just for Ms. Epper but also for all women in her industry. Despite the work of Ms. Epper and others, stunt doubling had long been mostly a man’s game, with men dressing as women to do their stunts, a practice known as wigging. The series was groundbreaking for featuring a female action hero.

“Actresses didn’t want hairy-legged boys as doubles,” Ms. Epper told Variety in 2007 . “They wanted pretty girls. It slowly started changing the order of things.”

The rangy, 5-foot-9 Ms. Epper was used to the rough and tumble of the brotherhood that accepted her because of her father, and also because she had her own moxie. She was savvy about the sexism of the stunt world, and the movie business.

Zoë Bell, a New Zealand-born actor and stuntwoman whom Ms. Epper mentored, described the advice Ms. Epper gave her when she was putting together her résumé for a job doubling for Uma Thurman in “Kill Bill: Volume 1,” Quentin Tarantino’s 2003 martial arts splatterfest. (Ms. Bell, a talented gymnast, had been Lucy Lawless’s double during every season of “Xena: Warrior Princess,” which was shot in New Zealand and ran from 1995 to 2001.)

“She asked me what I weighed,” Ms. Bell recalled by phone. “I said ‘145-ish.’ Jeannie, without missing a beat, said ‘OK, so put 130. You look 130 and the actresses all lie.’ She went on to talk about recognizing a broken system and devising new rules that one feels good about, in order to be able to keep playing the game.”

Ms. Epper and Ms. Bell were the joint subjects of “Double Dare,” a 2004 documentary directed by Amanda Micheli. The film followed Ms. Epper as she hunted for work in her 60s and Ms. Bell, who was in her early 20s, as her career was just taking off.

“Jeannie was up against the inequity of women not getting promoted,” Ms. Micheli said. “The working life span of a stunt performer is brief, like a professional athlete’s. They’re using their bodies, they’re hitting the ground every day.

“The best stunt men go on to become stunt coordinators, or even second-unit directors, which is a powerful role on an action film,” she continued. “Jeannie’s brother Gary got those opportunities, while she just kept hitting a wall. Instead of getting to call the shots, she was hustling for small jobs here and there, and taking hits well past her prime. I saw the pain that caused her, both figuratively and literally.”

In Ms. Epper’s youth, there were the usual mishaps. While jumping a horse off a raft in “Mackenna’s Gold” (1969), she nearly drowned when the horse floundered and flipped in the water. She was almost knocked out by Pam Grier in the 1974 blaxploitation film “Foxy Brown” when Ms. Grier smashed a painting over her head and sliced open her skull. She caught fire when a stunt went south in an episode of the late-1960s television series “Lancer.”

The years of stunts mostly took their toll in torn ligaments and battered joints. Not that she complained.

“Jeannie was bad-ass and a sweetheart,” Ms. Bell said. “A lady and one of the boys. A cowgirl and a finishing school graduate. A Christian and one of my favorite people to crack filthy jokes with.”

Jean Luann Epper was born on Jan. 27, 1941, in Glendale, Calif., and grew up in North Hollywood. Her father served in the cavalry in his native Switzerland and moved to Hollywood in the 1930s. There, he opened a riding academy and trained actors who were appearing in westerns. He also married Frances Robertson there.

Mr. Epper got into the stunt business when he was delivering a horse to a set and ended up doing the stunt himself — the scene involved jumping the animal over a car. He taught his three girls and three boys how to ride, how to jump and, most important, how to roll and how to fall.

As a young teenager, Jeannie was sent to finishing school for a few years in Switzerland — she hated it — and when she returned, she married at just 16, became a mother and went to work.

Her marriages to Wes Fuller, Richard Spaethe and Lee Sanders ended in divorce. In addition to her daughter, who is also a stuntwoman, Ms. Epper is survived by her husband, Tim Kimack; her son, Richard; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Among her many other credits, Ms. Epper appeared in eight films produced or directed by Steven Spielberg, including “1941,” the 1979 slapstick comedy that imagines an alternate reality to what happened in the days after Pearl Harbor. Most of her family was cast in that film, too. In Ms. Micheli’s documentary, Mr. Spielberg called the Eppers “the Flying Wallendas of film” and added that in a bar fight scene in “1941,” “there were Eppers flying all over the place.”

Ms. Epper’s last performance was not a stunt, exactly. In 2019, at 78, she was cast as a hostage in an episode of the ABC series “The Rookie,” a role that involved being bound, gagged and duct-taped to a chair with a shotgun strapped to her shoulder and pointed at her head.

Debbie Evans , a much-lauded stuntwoman who said she considered Ms. Epper her “stunt mom,” drove her to the set. “It was a special day,” Ms. Evans recalled. “She was so high and happy.”

Penelope Green is a Times reporter on the Obituaries desk. More about Penelope Green