Complete Guide to Using “I don’t know what to + (verb)” in English

The phrase “I don’t know what to + verb” expresses uncertainty or lack of direction about a particular action or decision. This common construction helps communicate when you’re unsure how to proceed in various situations.

“I don’t know what to” Usage Examples

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation	Context
1	I don’t know what to eat for dinner.	मुझे नहीं पता रात के खाने में क्या खाऊँ।	Food decision
2	I don’t know what to buy you for your birthday.	मुझे नहीं पता तुम्हारे जन्मदिन पर क्या खरीदूँ।	Gift selection
3	I don’t know what to say.	मुझे नहीं पता क्या कहूँ।	Speechless moment
4	I don’t know what to do with my spare time.	मुझे नहीं पता खाली समय में क्या करूँ।	Time management
5	I don’t know what to do for vacation.	मुझे नहीं पता छुट्टियों में क्या करूँ।	Travel plans
6	I don’t know what to do to make you happy.	मुझे नहीं पता तुम्हें खुश करने के लिए क्या करूँ।	Relationship concern
7	I don’t know what to do to help you understand.	मुझे नहीं पता तुम्हें समझाने के लिए क्या करूँ।	Teaching difficulty
8	I don’t know what to think.	मुझे नहीं पता क्या सोचूँ।	Confused state
9	I don’t know what to do to prevent this.	मुझे नहीं पता इसे रोकने के लिए क्या करूँ।	Problem solving
10	I don’t know what to order.	मुझे नहीं पता क्या ऑर्डर करूँ।	Menu selection

Expanded Usage Examples

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation
11	I don’t know what to wear today.	मुझे नहीं पता आज क्या पहनूँ।
12	I don’t know what to believe anymore.	मुझे अब नहीं पता किस पर विश्वास करूँ।
13	I don’t know what to study in college.	मुझे नहीं पता कॉलेज में क्या पढ़ूँ।
14	I don’t know what to choose.	मुझे नहीं पता क्या चुनूँ।
15	I don’t know what to do about this problem.	मुझे नहीं पता इस समस्या के बारे में क्या करूँ।

Alternative Expressions

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation
1	I’m unsure what to do next.	मुझे यकीन नहीं कि अब क्या करूँ।
2	I can’t decide what to pick.	मैं तय नहीं कर पा रहा/रही क्या चुनूँ।
3	I’m at a loss about what to say.	मैं समझ नहीं पा रहा/रही क्या कहूँ।

Key Grammar Rules

• Structure:
  • “I don’t know what to” + base verb
  • ✅ Correct: “I don’t know what to write.”
  • ❌ Incorrect: “I don’t know what to writing.”
• Tense Variations:
  • Present: “I don’t know what to do.”
  • Past: “I didn’t know what to do.”
  • Future: “I won’t know what to do.”
• Question Form:
  • “Do you know what to…?”
  • Example: “Do you know what to say?”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ “I don’t know what should I do.”
✅ “I don’t know what to do.” (correct word order)

❌ “I don’t know to what do.”
✅ “I don’t know what to do.” (proper phrase structure)

❌ “I’m not knowing what to choose.”
✅ “I don’t know what to choose.” (simple present tense)

Cultural Usage Notes

• Casual Conversations:
  • Often used with gestures (shrugging shoulders)
• Professional Settings:
  • Can be softened (“I’m not entirely sure what to suggest”)
• Indian English:
  • Sometimes “only” is added for emphasis (“I don’t know only what to do”)
  • May be combined with “yaar” in informal speech (“Yaar, I don’t know what to do”)