Subject + verb + interrogative + clause
- I asked where she was going.
- Nobody knows when he will arrive.
- I wonder what he wants.
- She showed how distressed she was.
- I don’t understand why she behaved like that.
- I could not decide what I should do next.
Common verbs which are usually used in this pattern are: say, ask, wonder, know, believe, imagine, decide, discuss, understand, show, reveal, find out, suggest and tell.
Subject + verb + noun / pronoun + interrogative + clause
Common verbs which are used in this pattern are: tell, ask, show, teach, advise and inform.
- She asked me where I was going.
- I showed them how they should do it.
- Can you tell me where he lives?
- Please tell me where I should turn off the main road.
Subject + verb + interrogative + to-infinitive
The most common verbs used in this pattern are: know, understand, wonder, remember, forget, decide, enquire, see, explain, guess, learn, consider
- I don’t know how to do it.
- She knows how to drive a car.
- Tom couldn’t decide what to do next.
- You should remember when to turn off the main road.
- He forgot how to do it.
Subject + verb + noun / pronoun + interrogative + to-infinitive
- I will show you how to operate it.
- Please inform us how to get there.
- He has taught me how to play chess.
- Please advise me how to do it.
- We asked him where to get tickets.