REPORTED SPEECH

HOPES, INTENTIONS, PROMISES

When we report an intention, hope or promise, we use an appropriate reporting verb followed by a that-clause or a to-infinitive:

"I'll pay you the money tomorrow."
He promised to pay me the money the next day.
He promised that he would pay me the money the next day.

Other verbs used in this pattern include:
hope, propose, threaten, guarantee, swear.

Examples:

1. "I'll be back by lunchtime."
   He promised to be back by lunchtime.
   He promised that he would be back by lunchtime.
2. "We should arrive in London before nightfall."
   They hoped to arrive in London before nightfall.
   They hoped they would arrive in London before nightfall.
3. "Give me the keys to the safe or I'll shoot you!"
   He threatened to shoot me if I didn't give him the keys to the safe.
   He threatened that he would shoot me if I didn't give him the keys to the safe.

Note: see also Summary of Reporting Verbs.