Verb patterns and structures - III

Subject + verb + question word + infinitive

In this structure we use question word + infinitive as direct object.

• I don’t know where to turn for help.
• We must find out what to do next.
• Let us decide when to start.
• Have you been told where to stay?
• I don’t know how to stop it.
• We must remember where to turn off the main road.
• Do you know what to look for?

Note that it is wrong to use ‘What to do?’ as a question. You must say ‘What shall we do?’ or ‘What is to be done?’

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

• I don’t know where to turn for help. (= I don’t know where I should turn for help. )
• We must find out what to do next. (= We must find out what we should do next. )
• Let us decide when to start. (= Let us decide when we should start. )

Subject + verb + indirect object + question word + infinitive

• I will show you how to manage it.
• Could you tell me where to find a good hotel?
• Someone should teach you how to behave.
• A good dictionary tells you how to pronounce words.
• Please direct me how to get there.

Have (or get) + object + past participle

Getting something done by somebody else is expressed by the structure have (or get) + object + past participle.

• I must have my shoes mended. (OR I must get my shoes mended.)
• We got our house designed by a famous architect.
• She has had her photographs taken.
• She got her son trained as a mechanic.

The… the… with comparative adjectives

Comparison and contrast are expressed by the use of the … the …with comparative adjectives in parallel clauses. This structure is used to show proportionate increase or decrease.

• The less I see him the more I like him.
• The more he reads the less he understands.
• The older we grow the wiser we become.
• The richer one grows the greater one’s worries.
• The higher you climb the colder it gets.

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