THE INFINITIVE

INFINITIVE AFTER QUESTION WORDS

These verbs: ask, decide, explain, forget, know, show, tell, understand, can be followed by a question word such as where, how, what, who, when or 'whether' + the 'to-infinitive'.

Examples

• She asked me how to use the washing machine.
• Do you understand what to do?
• Tell me when to press the button.
• I've forgotten where to put this little screw.
• I can't decide whether to wear the red dress or the black one.

The question word Why is followed by the zero infinitive in suggestions:

Examples

• Why wait until tomorrow?
• Why not ask him now?
• Why walk when we can go in the car?
• Why not buy a new bed for your bedroom?
• Why leave before the end of the game?
• Why not spend a week in Beirut and a week in Baghdad?