I know how to cook.

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I know how to cook.

Question Word + Infinitive

Intermediate

DO NOT REPUBLISH

By the end of this lesson, you will know how to talk about unspecified places, times, things, and methods.

Exercise 1

Sentence Practice

He knows how to cook spaghetti.
She taught me how to drive a car.
I don’t know what to do.
She is thinking about what to buy for her sister’s birthday.
I forgot where to put the box.
She didn’t tell us where to meet her secretary.
I'm not sure when to tell them the truth.

Grammar Focus

'To Infinitive'

The infinitive is the basic form of verbs. There are two types: 1. bare infinitive (I will climb Mt. Everest) and 2. to infinitive (I want to climb Mt. Everest).

This lesson will focus on 'to infinitives'.

Question word + infinitive

Use 'how + to-infinitive' when you want to describe the way to perform an action.

I know how to cook spaghetti. (= the way/method to cook spaghetti)
They know how to drive a car. (= the way to drive a car)

Use 'what + to-infinitive' when you want to describe the object of the action.

I don't know what to do. (= I need some advice)
She can't decide what to buy for her sister's birthday. (= There are many choices, and she cannot decide on one thing)

Use 'where + to-infinitive' when you want to describe the place, location or direction of the action.

She didn’t tell us where to meet her secretary. (= She didn't specify the place)

Use 'when + to-infinitive' when you want to describe the time or the occasion at which the action is performed.

I'm not sure when to take my vacation. (= I don't know what time is best)

Tip

The 'question word + infinitive' structure is one of the easiest ways to form questions. For example: "Do you know how to cook spaghetti?", "Do you know how long to boil the noodles?", "Do you know when to take the noodles out?"

Exercise 2

Sentence Practice

He knows how to go to the hospital.
She taught us how to conduct the training tomorrow.
I don’t know how to help young people in this town.
She is thinking about when to take the final examination.
Mark is asking for some advice regarding when to start the new project.
Allen doesn’t know where to park his new car.
He has no idea where to deliver the products.
I’m thinking about what to prepare for the party.
She really doesn’t know what to do.

Exercise 3

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with when, where, what, or how to complete the sentences.

I have so many ingredients, but I don't know to make!

This city is so expensive. I don't know to live.

I want to marry my girlfriend, but I'm not sure to propose.

Help! My room is infested with ants. I don't know to do!

Help me decide to go on vacation.

Do you know to do if you are stung by a bee?

My husband and I are so busy these days. We don't know to celebrate our anniversary.

I want to speak better English, but I don't know to do that.

Exercise 4

Sentence Building

You just moved to a new town. Talk to your neighbor about the things you don't know, using the phrase 'I don't know...' and the 'where/when/how/what + infinitive' construction.

Example

go grocery shopping → "I don't know where to go grocery shopping."

walk my dog
register to vote
put the trash out
buy a vacuum cleaner
parts of town to avoid
bus to catch