Do you think the following three sentences have some grammatical errors?
I was hoping to leave early today. Will that be a problem?
I was thinking first thing in the morning would be a good time to meet.
Hello, my name is Mr. Koffer. I don't have an appointment, but I was wondering if I could speak to Mr. John for a moment.
"Was/were hoping/wondering/thinking" softens a request/question/suggestion.
The past progressive is used to say that something was happening at a particular time in the past. However, the past progressive of certain nonaction verbs softens statements, requests, suggestions, and questions, making them less direct and more polite.