Is “I was wanting to know” grammatically correct?
Is the following sentence grammatically correct:
I was wanting to know if I could sent you a link.
It does not sound correct to me.
grammar gerunds politeness progressive-aspect past-continuous
edited 2 days ago
Mari-Lou A
13.4k73976
migrated from english.stackexchange.com 2 days ago
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
add a comment |
Is the following sentence grammatically correct:
I was wanting to know if I could sent you a link.
It does not sound correct to me.
grammar gerunds politeness progressive-aspect past-continuous
edited 2 days ago
Mari-Lou A
13.4k73976
migrated from english.stackexchange.com 2 days ago
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
4
"I was wanting to know" is fine. Use 'send', not 'sent', then it will be OK.
– Michael Harvey
Jan 2 at 18:08
@MichaelHarvey: Not "fine" to me. It sounds a bit like a variation on the "Indian English" tendency to say things like I am liking you instead of I like you. So I'm voting to migrate to ELL.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 2 at 18:20
4
Men say "I was wondering if you would like to go dancing" to girls in Britain (or they did when I was a lad); "I was wanting to know how you got on in your exams" would be perfectly idiomatic to describe a recent or current desire.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
5
Using a complex construction like I was wondering whether... or I was wanting to know if ... is one way to be polite. Politeness thrives on awkward constructions; it's the equivalent of shuffling your feet.
– John Lawler
2 days ago
3
Possible duplicate of Stative verbs in the progressive
– Mari-Lou A
2 days ago
add a comment |
Is the following sentence grammatically correct:
I was wanting to know if I could sent you a link.
It does not sound correct to me.
grammar gerunds politeness progressive-aspect past-continuous
edited 2 days ago
Mari-Lou A
13.4k73976
Is the following sentence grammatically correct:
I was wanting to know if I could sent you a link.
It does not sound correct to me.
grammar gerunds politeness progressive-aspect past-continuous
grammar gerunds politeness progressive-aspect past-continuous
edited 2 days ago
Mari-Lou A
13.4k73976
edited 2 days ago
Mari-Lou A
13.4k73976
edited 2 days ago
Mari-Lou A
13.4k73976
edited 2 days ago
Mari-Lou A
13.4k73976
edited 2 days ago
Mari-Lou A
13.4k73976
13.4k73976
asked Jan 2 at 17:57
Dawn
migrated from english.stackexchange.com 2 days ago
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
migrated from english.stackexchange.com 2 days ago
This question came from our site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts.
4
"I was wanting to know" is fine. Use 'send', not 'sent', then it will be OK.
– Michael Harvey
Jan 2 at 18:08
@MichaelHarvey: Not "fine" to me. It sounds a bit like a variation on the "Indian English" tendency to say things like I am liking you instead of I like you. So I'm voting to migrate to ELL.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 2 at 18:20
4
Men say "I was wondering if you would like to go dancing" to girls in Britain (or they did when I was a lad); "I was wanting to know how you got on in your exams" would be perfectly idiomatic to describe a recent or current desire.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
5
Using a complex construction like I was wondering whether... or I was wanting to know if ... is one way to be polite. Politeness thrives on awkward constructions; it's the equivalent of shuffling your feet.
– John Lawler
2 days ago
3
Possible duplicate of Stative verbs in the progressive
– Mari-Lou A
2 days ago
add a comment |
4
"I was wanting to know" is fine. Use 'send', not 'sent', then it will be OK.
– Michael Harvey
Jan 2 at 18:08
@MichaelHarvey: Not "fine" to me. It sounds a bit like a variation on the "Indian English" tendency to say things like I am liking you instead of I like you. So I'm voting to migrate to ELL.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 2 at 18:20
4
Men say "I was wondering if you would like to go dancing" to girls in Britain (or they did when I was a lad); "I was wanting to know how you got on in your exams" would be perfectly idiomatic to describe a recent or current desire.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
5
Using a complex construction like I was wondering whether... or I was wanting to know if ... is one way to be polite. Politeness thrives on awkward constructions; it's the equivalent of shuffling your feet.
– John Lawler
2 days ago
3
Possible duplicate of Stative verbs in the progressive
– Mari-Lou A
2 days ago
4
4
"I was wanting to know" is fine. Use 'send', not 'sent', then it will be OK.
– Michael Harvey
Jan 2 at 18:08
"I was wanting to know" is fine. Use 'send', not 'sent', then it will be OK.
– Michael Harvey
Jan 2 at 18:08
@MichaelHarvey: Not "fine" to me. It sounds a bit like a variation on the "Indian English" tendency to say things like I am liking you instead of I like you. So I'm voting to migrate to ELL.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 2 at 18:20
@MichaelHarvey: Not "fine" to me. It sounds a bit like a variation on the "Indian English" tendency to say things like I am liking you instead of I like you. So I'm voting to migrate to ELL.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 2 at 18:20
4
4
Men say "I was wondering if you would like to go dancing" to girls in Britain (or they did when I was a lad); "I was wanting to know how you got on in your exams" would be perfectly idiomatic to describe a recent or current desire.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
Men say "I was wondering if you would like to go dancing" to girls in Britain (or they did when I was a lad); "I was wanting to know how you got on in your exams" would be perfectly idiomatic to describe a recent or current desire.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
5
5
Using a complex construction like I was wondering whether... or I was wanting to know if ... is one way to be polite. Politeness thrives on awkward constructions; it's the equivalent of shuffling your feet.
– John Lawler
2 days ago
Using a complex construction like I was wondering whether... or I was wanting to know if ... is one way to be polite. Politeness thrives on awkward constructions; it's the equivalent of shuffling your feet.
– John Lawler
2 days ago
3
3
Possible duplicate of Stative verbs in the progressive
– Mari-Lou A
2 days ago
Possible duplicate of Stative verbs in the progressive
– Mari-Lou A
2 days ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
"I was wanting to know" is fine. Use 'send', not 'sent', then it will be OK. Using a complex construction like I was wondering whether... or I was wanting to know if ... is one way to be polite, as a commenter has said.
The construction is considered more polite because it tells the listener about the speaker's desire to know something, without directly asking.
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
4,266518
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
12.6k11330
I suppose it's grammatical, but to my American ear, "I was wanting to know if..." sounds very odd. "I wanted to know if..." sounds more natural to me. But then again, "I was wondering if..." sounds perfectly natural, so I'm not sure what the difference is.
– Nuclear Wang
2 days ago
The "I was... [past continuous form of verb]" construction is often seen in polite or indirect statements or requests. Maybe Americans are more direct than the British.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
add a comment |
I would say no, "I was wanting to know if I could sent you a link." is not grammatically correct.
Less cumbersome:
"I want to know if I can send you a link."
Or if you are referring to an action (such as asking someone previously if they had Internet access, for example) past:
"I wanted to know if I can send you a link."
Example:
you: "Hey do you have Internet access?"
them: "Yes, why do you ask?"
you: "Oh, I just wanted to know if I can send a link to this groovy site about the English language & usage."
:)
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
"I was wanting to know" is fine. Use 'send', not 'sent', then it will be OK. Using a complex construction like I was wondering whether... or I was wanting to know if ... is one way to be polite, as a commenter has said.
The construction is considered more polite because it tells the listener about the speaker's desire to know something, without directly asking.
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
4,266518
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
12.6k11330
I suppose it's grammatical, but to my American ear, "I was wanting to know if..." sounds very odd. "I wanted to know if..." sounds more natural to me. But then again, "I was wondering if..." sounds perfectly natural, so I'm not sure what the difference is.
– Nuclear Wang
2 days ago
The "I was... [past continuous form of verb]" construction is often seen in polite or indirect statements or requests. Maybe Americans are more direct than the British.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
add a comment |
"I was wanting to know" is fine. Use 'send', not 'sent', then it will be OK. Using a complex construction like I was wondering whether... or I was wanting to know if ... is one way to be polite, as a commenter has said.
The construction is considered more polite because it tells the listener about the speaker's desire to know something, without directly asking.
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
4,266518
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
12.6k11330
I suppose it's grammatical, but to my American ear, "I was wanting to know if..." sounds very odd. "I wanted to know if..." sounds more natural to me. But then again, "I was wondering if..." sounds perfectly natural, so I'm not sure what the difference is.
– Nuclear Wang
2 days ago
The "I was... [past continuous form of verb]" construction is often seen in polite or indirect statements or requests. Maybe Americans are more direct than the British.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
add a comment |
"I was wanting to know" is fine. Use 'send', not 'sent', then it will be OK. Using a complex construction like I was wondering whether... or I was wanting to know if ... is one way to be polite, as a commenter has said.
The construction is considered more polite because it tells the listener about the speaker's desire to know something, without directly asking.
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
4,266518
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
12.6k11330
"I was wanting to know" is fine. Use 'send', not 'sent', then it will be OK. Using a complex construction like I was wondering whether... or I was wanting to know if ... is one way to be polite, as a commenter has said.
The construction is considered more polite because it tells the listener about the speaker's desire to know something, without directly asking.
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
4,266518
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
12.6k11330
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
4,266518
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
4,266518
edited 2 days ago
Tashus
4,266518
4,266518
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
12.6k11330
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
12.6k11330
answered 2 days ago
Michael Harvey
12.6k11330
12.6k11330
I suppose it's grammatical, but to my American ear, "I was wanting to know if..." sounds very odd. "I wanted to know if..." sounds more natural to me. But then again, "I was wondering if..." sounds perfectly natural, so I'm not sure what the difference is.
– Nuclear Wang
2 days ago
The "I was... [past continuous form of verb]" construction is often seen in polite or indirect statements or requests. Maybe Americans are more direct than the British.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
add a comment |
I suppose it's grammatical, but to my American ear, "I was wanting to know if..." sounds very odd. "I wanted to know if..." sounds more natural to me. But then again, "I was wondering if..." sounds perfectly natural, so I'm not sure what the difference is.
– Nuclear Wang
2 days ago
The "I was... [past continuous form of verb]" construction is often seen in polite or indirect statements or requests. Maybe Americans are more direct than the British.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
I suppose it's grammatical, but to my American ear, "I was wanting to know if..." sounds very odd. "I wanted to know if..." sounds more natural to me. But then again, "I was wondering if..." sounds perfectly natural, so I'm not sure what the difference is.
– Nuclear Wang
2 days ago
I suppose it's grammatical, but to my American ear, "I was wanting to know if..." sounds very odd. "I wanted to know if..." sounds more natural to me. But then again, "I was wondering if..." sounds perfectly natural, so I'm not sure what the difference is.
– Nuclear Wang
2 days ago
The "I was... [past continuous form of verb]" construction is often seen in polite or indirect statements or requests. Maybe Americans are more direct than the British.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
The "I was... [past continuous form of verb]" construction is often seen in polite or indirect statements or requests. Maybe Americans are more direct than the British.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
add a comment |
I would say no, "I was wanting to know if I could sent you a link." is not grammatically correct.
Less cumbersome:
"I want to know if I can send you a link."
Or if you are referring to an action (such as asking someone previously if they had Internet access, for example) past:
"I wanted to know if I can send you a link."
Example:
you: "Hey do you have Internet access?"
them: "Yes, why do you ask?"
you: "Oh, I just wanted to know if I can send a link to this groovy site about the English language & usage."
:)
add a comment |
I would say no, "I was wanting to know if I could sent you a link." is not grammatically correct.
Less cumbersome:
"I want to know if I can send you a link."
Or if you are referring to an action (such as asking someone previously if they had Internet access, for example) past:
"I wanted to know if I can send you a link."
Example:
you: "Hey do you have Internet access?"
them: "Yes, why do you ask?"
you: "Oh, I just wanted to know if I can send a link to this groovy site about the English language & usage."
:)
add a comment |
I would say no, "I was wanting to know if I could sent you a link." is not grammatically correct.
Less cumbersome:
"I want to know if I can send you a link."
Or if you are referring to an action (such as asking someone previously if they had Internet access, for example) past:
"I wanted to know if I can send you a link."
Example:
you: "Hey do you have Internet access?"
them: "Yes, why do you ask?"
you: "Oh, I just wanted to know if I can send a link to this groovy site about the English language & usage."
:)
I would say no, "I was wanting to know if I could sent you a link." is not grammatically correct.
Less cumbersome:
"I want to know if I can send you a link."
Or if you are referring to an action (such as asking someone previously if they had Internet access, for example) past:
"I wanted to know if I can send you a link."
Example:
you: "Hey do you have Internet access?"
them: "Yes, why do you ask?"
you: "Oh, I just wanted to know if I can send a link to this groovy site about the English language & usage."
:)
answered Jan 2 at 18:21
Jackspace
add a comment |
add a comment |
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4
"I was wanting to know" is fine. Use 'send', not 'sent', then it will be OK.
– Michael Harvey
Jan 2 at 18:08
@MichaelHarvey: Not "fine" to me. It sounds a bit like a variation on the "Indian English" tendency to say things like I am liking you instead of I like you. So I'm voting to migrate to ELL.
– FumbleFingers
Jan 2 at 18:20
4
Men say "I was wondering if you would like to go dancing" to girls in Britain (or they did when I was a lad); "I was wanting to know how you got on in your exams" would be perfectly idiomatic to describe a recent or current desire.
– Michael Harvey
2 days ago
5
Using a complex construction like I was wondering whether... or I was wanting to know if ... is one way to be polite. Politeness thrives on awkward constructions; it's the equivalent of shuffling your feet.
– John Lawler
2 days ago
3
Possible duplicate of Stative verbs in the progressive
– Mari-Lou A
2 days ago