what to do / how to get (wh + to do)
what to do / how to get (wh + to do) means “wh-word + to + verb: a short way to express an indirect question”. A wh-word (what, how, where, when, which) plus to and a base verb packs an indirect question into a few words. Formation: wh-word (what/how/where/when/which) + to + base verb
wh-word + to + verb: a short way to express an indirect question
B1Formation
wh-word (what/how/where/when/which) + to + base verb
Explanation
A wh-word (what, how, where, when, which) plus to and a base verb packs an indirect question into a few words. I don't know what to do means the same as I don't know what I should do. It follows verbs like know, decide, learn, ask and tell: She showed me how to use it. Tell me where to sit. Note that why is not used this way.
Examples
Note
Whether can join this pattern too: I can't decide whether to stay or go. But plain if cannot come before to.
FAQ
what to do / how to get (wh + to do) — what does it mean and how is it used?
wh-word + to + verb: a short way to express an indirect question. A wh-word (what, how, where, when, which) plus to and a base verb packs an indirect question into a few words. I don't know what to do means the same as I don't know what I should do. It follows verbs like know, decide, learn, ask and tell: She showed me how to use it. Tell me where to sit. Note that why is not used this way.
what to do / how to get (wh + to do) — how do you form it?
wh-word (what/how/where/when/which) + to + base verb
what to do / how to get (wh + to do) — any usage notes?
Whether can join this pattern too: I can't decide whether to stay or go. But plain if cannot come before to.