what to do

USAGE SUMMARY

'what to do' is correct and usable in written English.
It should be used in contexts where you are asking someone for advice or guidance. For example: "I'm completely overwhelmed. I don't know what to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What to do, what to do?

The New Yorker

So what to do?

The New York Times

Here's what to do.

The New York Times

What to do? Triage?

The New Yorker

But what to do?

The New York Times

He knew what to do.

The New Yorker

We discussed what to do.

The New York Times

What to do about that?

Independent

"You know what to do.

The New York Times

What to do with it?

The New York Times

Tell me what to do!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In creative writing, use it as a short, internal monologue question to emphasize a character's stress or confusion.

Common error

Avoid using a question mark when the phrase is embedded as a noun clause within a statement. For example, 'I need to know what to do.' is correct, whereas 'I need to know what to do?' is a punctuation error.

Linguistic Context

This phrase functions primarily as a wh-infinitive clause, serving as a noun equivalent in a sentence. Ludwig indicates it acts as the direct object of verbs related to cognition or communication, such as "know", "decide", "tell" and "wonder".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what to do" is a fundamental component of English syntax, primarily serving as a wh-infinitive clause. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across diverse domains, including News & Media and Science. Its versatility allows it to function as an indirect question, a rhetorical device or a direct command. Whether used to express profound indecision in literature or to guide users through technical steps in a manual, it remains one of the most efficient ways to frame an inquiry into action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what should be done

Switches to a passive structure to emphasize the necessity of the action.

which steps to take

Focuses on a sequential process rather than a general action.

how to proceed

A more formal version often used in professional or technical contexts.

what action to take

Emphasizes the specific choice of deed or response.

how to handle this

Focuses on management or resolution of a specific problem.

the next course of action

A formal noun phrase used to describe planned future behavior.

where to go from here

A figurative way to ask about future direction or strategy.

how to respond

Narrows the scope to reacting to a specific event or person.

which way to turn

Often used to express a more desperate or metaphorical sense of lost direction.

what options are available

Focuses on the variety of possible choices rather than the final decision.

FAQs

How to use "what to do" in a sentence?

You can use it as a subject or an object to indicate action. For example: "When the power goes out, I never know "what to do"."

What can I say instead of "what to do"?

You can use alternatives like "<a href="/s/how+to+proceed" target="_blank" rel="alternative">how to proceed", "<a href="/s/what+action+to+take" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what action to take" or "<a href="/s/the+next+steps" target="_blank" rel="alternative">the next steps" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "what to do" or "what to be done"?

Both are correct. "what to do" is active and common, while "<a href="/s/what+is+to+be+done" target="_blank" rel="alternative">what is to be done" is passive and much more formal.

What is the difference between "what to do" and "how to do"?

The phrase "what to do" asks about the action itself, while "<a href="/s/how+to+do+it" target="_blank" rel="alternative">how to do it" focuses on the method or specific mechanics of the task.