Question word + infinitive as object

Lesson -01

A question word + infinitive can serve as the object of a verb. Study the following sentences.

    * I don’t know what to do. (Here the structure ‘what to do’ is the object of the verb know.)

    * We must find out what to do next.

    * I don’t know where to turn for help.

    * Let us decide when to start.

    * We will have to find out how to reach the place.

    * We must remember where to turn off the main road.

    * Do you know what to look for?

    * I will show you how to manage it.

    * Could you tell me where to find a good hotel?

    * Somebody should teach you how to behave.

Note that a question word + infinitive cannot stand alone. We cannot say ‘what to do’. Instead we must say: ‘What shall we do?’ or ‘What is to be done?’

The question word + infinitive structure can be changed into a noun clause.

    * I don’t know what to do means I don’t know what I should do.

    * I don’t know where to turn for help means I don’t know where I should turn for help.

 Exercise

Change the question word + infinitive structure in the following sentences into noun clauses.

1. A good dictionary tells you how to pronounce the words.

2. I will show you how to do it.

3. Could you tell me where to find a good hotel?

Answers

1. A good dictionary tells you how you should pronounce the words.

2. I will show you how you can do it.

3. Could you tell me where I can find a good hotel?