思考溝通動詞的語意為表達人的想法。因此「我想說⋯」或「我認為說⋯」後面需要加一個補充說明的子句:
I thought that it is a blessing to marry you.
補語子句是引述思考的內容,以 that 做為前導,一方面與主要動詞區隔,一方面提示後續將有完整事件。這個事件的內容可以天南地北,上下古今,描述另一個時空中發生的事: 引述內容時,又有兩種選擇:
◆ 間接引述
Copernicus said / claimed / explained that [the Earth is round.]
Henry thought / guessed / remembered that [the manager had promised to promote him.]
◆ 直接引述
“I didn’t promise to promote you,”the manager said / claimed / explained.
The author wrote:“There is no happiness without pain.”