REPORTED SPEECH – Special Introductory Verbs
+ to + infin.: agree, claim, demand, offer, promise, refuse, threaten
+ sb +to + infin.: advise, allow, ask, beg, command, encourage, forbid, instruct, invite, order,
permit, remind, urge, warn, want
+ ing form: accuse sb of, admit (to), apologise for, boast about, complain to sb about, deny,
insist on, suggest
+ that + clause: agree, boast, claim, complain, deny, exclaim, explain, inform sb, promise,
suggest
explain to sb why/how
“That’s how I recognized her”, he said to me.
He explained to me how he had recognized her.
wonder where/what/why/how + clause
(when the subject of the introductory verb is NOT the same as the subject of the indirect question)
“Why is she unhappy?” he asked himself.
He wondered why she was unhappy.
wonder where/what/how + to + infin
(when the subject of the infinitive is the same as the subject of the verb)
“Where shall I buy her present from?” he asked to himself.
He wondered where to buy her present from.
wonder + whether + to + infin. OR wonder + whether + clause
“Shall I buy that new mobile phone?” he asked to himself.
He wondered whether to buy that new mobile phone OR
He wondered whether he should buy that new mobile phone.