II. Volition
4.Direct:Will you help me?
Indirect:
  • You ask if I will help you.
  • He asks if I will help him.
  • You asked if I would help you.
  • He asked if I would help him.
  • {I asked him | You asked him | Tom asked him} if he would {help me. | help you. | help him.}

Note. There is a single exception to the rule in [§ 447]. When, in changing from a direct to an indirect question, the third person with will or would becomes the first, shall or should is substituted unless volition is expressed. Thus, John says to Thomas, “Will Charles die of his wound?” Charles, reporting John’s question, says, “John asked Thomas whether I should die of my wound.” Compare [§ 438], note.

PART THREE
ANALYSIS

CHAPTER I
THE STRUCTURE OF SENTENCES

448. Analysis is a Greek word which means “the act of dissolving or breaking up.” In grammar it is applied to the separation of a sentence into its constituent parts, or elements. To dissect a sentence in this way is to analyze it.