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Guzhao67 Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

past tense and politeness and tentativeness

could you please explain the difference between "I wondered whether you could help me?", "I had wondered whether you could help me?" and "I was wondering whether you could help me?" All these phrases can be used in present situations to ask for sb's help in a polite way. what's the difference? which one is the commonest expression?
  

Top answer

", Simple past, completed action. This is not present tense, but I suppose the "past time" could be one second ago. I don't use this.

— AlpheccaStars

  • ", Simple past, completed action.
  • This is not present tense, but I suppose the "past time" could be one second ago.
  • I don't use this.
  • " Past perfect tense.
  • The action (wonder) completed at some time in the past.
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5 Answers
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"I wondered whether you could help me?",
Simple past, completed action. This is not present tense, but I suppose the "past time" could be one second ago. I don't use this.
"I had wondered whether you could help me?"
Past perfect tense. The action (wonder) completed at some time in the past. I don't use this.

"I was wondering whether you could help me?"
I use this
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Welcome to English Forums!
guzhao67 ... which one is the commonest expression?
I was wondering if you could help me is the most common form where I live. (No question mark; it's not a question.)
CJ
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thank you very much
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thank you very much
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I live in California and always wondered the same thing. Why do people ask "What was your name?" It does sound polite, but it makes no sense. Also "What did you need?" I always want to say, like at the Deli: "I needed the turkey, and still do". It just seems less like an order I guess in past tense.
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