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Would like

We use *would like or **’*d like to say politely what we want, especially when making offers and requests:

  • Would you like a biscuit with your coffee?
  • Can you order for Ellie? She*’d*** like the Margarita pizza, please.

Verbs that follow would like are in the to-infinitive form:

  • Would you like to listen to that again?
  • I*’d*** like to get a return ticket for tomorrow.

We use Do you like …? to ask about preferences in general. We don’t use Do you like …? to make offers or requests.

Compare

Do you like rice?Would you like some rice?Do you like dancing?Would you like to dance?
asks about likes and dislikes in generaloffers some riceasks about likes and dislikes in generalinvites you to dance

Would like to have + -ed form​

We use would like to have + -ed form when talking about things in the past that we have missed:

  • I’d like to have watched the football but I had to go out. (I wanted to watch the football, but I didn’t.)

I’d like to​

We can use I’d like to as a short answer to an offer or invitation:

  • A: You must have dinner with us.
  • B: Yes, I’d like to.
  • A: Good. Is Sunday night any good?
See also
  • Hate, like, love and prefer
  • Like