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Debpriya De Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

What to do

Tell me what to do.
Is the above sentence the shortened form of "Tell me what I am to do" because "what to do" is equivalent to "that which to do" and "that which to do" doesn't seem grammatically correct ?
  

Top answer

Hi Debpriya, I think "to infinitive" express the meaning of "should" or "can" as in the sentences below Tell me what I should do ->Tell me what to do I can't decide whether I should go or stay home ->I can't decide whether to go or (to) stay home Please tell me how I can do this ->Please tell me how to do this Tell me where I can find it ->Tell me where to find it Is "tell me what to do" really equivalent to "tell me that wich to do"? It souds wrong to me.

— James do

  • Hi Debpriya, I think "to infinitive" express the meaning of "should" or "can" as in the sentences below Tell me what I should do ->Tell me what to do I can't decide whether I should go or stay home ->I can't decide whether to go or (to) stay home Please tell me how I can do this ->Please tell me how to do this Tell me where I can find it ->Tell me where to find it Is "tell me what to do" really equivalent to "tell me that wich to do"?
  • It souds wrong to me.
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1 Answers
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Hi Debpriya,

I think "to infinitive" express the meaning of "should" or "can" as in the sentences below

Tell me what I should do

->Tell me what to do

I can't decide whether I should go or stay home

->I can't decide whether to go or (to) stay home

Please tell me how I can do this

->Please tell me how to do this

Tell
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