Metkagram
EN RU

B2–C1 · GFA · GFA017

I was wondering whether + subject + could + infinitive

Explanation

A reusable frame from “Time and aspect”. Compare how English and German express time and aspect. Practise reusable constructions with Russian translations.

Structure

EN · EnglishI was wondering whether + subject + could + infinitive
DE · GermanIch wollte fragen, ob + subject + ... + infinitive + könnte(n)

Anchor phrase

RU · Translation

Я хотел бы узнать, не могли бы вы помочь.

EN · English

I was wondering whether you could help.

DE · German

Ich wollte fragen, ob Sie helfen könnten.

Try variations2 · more examples

  1. RU · Translation

    Я хотел бы узнать, не могли бы мы перенести встречу.

    EN · English

    I was wondering whether we could move the meeting.

    DE · German

    Ich wollte fragen, ob wir die Besprechung verschieben könnten.

  2. RU · Translation

    Я хотел бы узнать, можно ли задать вопрос.

    EN · English

    I was wondering whether I could ask a question.

    DE · German

    Ich wollte fragen, ob ich eine Frage stellen könnte.

Pattern graph

Continue with nearby patterns

GFA006Subject + was/were about to + infinitive + when + past clauseGFAGFA009Subject + was/were to have + past participle, but + past clauseGFAGFA002It was the first time + subject + had + past participleGFAGFA008Subject + was/were to + infinitive + later-time expressionGFA