ENGLISH
REFERENCE

I wonder if

fixed phr..
B1 Intermediate Oxford

fixed phr.. you use this to ask a question or make a request in a very polite and indirect way.

fixed phr.. a formulaic sequence used to introduce a polite inquiry or a tentative request; functions as a pragmatic hedge to reduce the directness of a question.


SIMPLE

I wonder if you could help me with this bag.

CONTEXTUAL

I wonder if you have a moment to discuss the project before the meeting starts.

COMPLEX

I wonder if the committee might consider extending the deadline given the unforeseen circumstances surrounding the recent system failure.

Usage

usually followed by a clause starting with a subject and verb, not an inverted question form.

Teaching tip

highlight that this phrase turns a direct question into a statement, so the word order remains 'subject + verb' rather than 'verb + subject'.

Pitfall

I wonder if can you help me?I wonder if you can help me.this phrase is a statement, so you must use normal sentence word order instead of question word order.

© 2026 English Reference