I know that we use the question structure, "How to do?", or "How to spell?" a lot. I have been told these are incorrect, but I have seen this in a published document. This must be correct! And why does the writer not use a (?) ???? ____________________________________________________ This manual tells you: 1. how to obtain information from different sources 2. where to store information. ____________________________________________________
This structure is OK in this example. This is because the each item in the list is an 'embedded question' rather than an actual question.
What is an embedded question?
An embedded question is a question which we include into a sentence. Here, the question is now part of a sentence. This sentence begins, 'This manual tells you...'
Since it is now part of a sentence, it must adopt a sentence structure i.e. "how to obtian' rather than 'how do I obtain?'.
The writer does not use a question mark (?). This is because the item is no longer technically a question. The writer simply needs to use one full-stop or period after the final item in the list.