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like: verb

Not used in progressive forms​

Like is not usually used in progressive forms (see here).

  • ‘What do you think of the soup?’ ‘I like it.’ (not … I’m liking it.)

Not used without an object​

Like cannot normally be used without an object.

  • ‘How do you feel about ballet?’ ‘I like it.’ (not … I like.)

For exceptions, (see here) below.

very much: position​

We can use very much with like, but not very alone.

  • I very much like his latest film. (not I very like his latest film.)

Very much does not come between like and its object (see here).

  • I like you and your sister very much. or I very much like you and your sister. (not I like very much you and your sister.)

like …ing: enjoyment​

To talk about enjoying activities in general, we can use like …ing (especially common in British English) or like + infinitive.

  • I really like walking / to walk in the woods.
  • Children always like listening / to listen to stories.

To talk about enjoying something on one occasion, we use like …ing.

  • I really liked working with him on his boat last week.

Like + object + verb is possible.

  • I don’t like people phoning / to phone me in the middle of the night.

like + infinitive: choices and habits​

We can use like + infinitive to talk about choices and habits.

  • I like to do the shopping early on Saturday mornings.
  • When I’m pouring tea I like to put the milk in first.

Not like to can mean ‘think it better not to’.

  • ‘Why didn’t you tell me before?’ ‘I didn’t like to disturb you at home.’

Like + object + infinitive is possible.

  • She likes the children to go to bed early during the week.

would like​

We use would like + infinitive as a polite way of saying ‘want’, especially in requests and offers.

  • I’d like two kilos of tomatoes, please.
  • ‘Would you like to dance?’ ‘Yes, OK.’ (not Would you like dancing? …)

Do you like …? is not used in this way.

  • not Do you like some more coffee?

Would like to can be used instead of repeating a whole infinitive (see here).

  • ‘How about playing tennis? ’ ‘I’d like to.’

Polite requests often begin If you would like … ; the following clause is sometimes dropped.

  • If you would like to take a seat, I’ll see if Mr Smithers is free.
  • If you would like to come this way …

Would is sometimes dropped in this structure.

  • If you like to come this way …
note

For would like with a perfect infinitive (e.g. I would like to have seen that), (see here).

if you like, etc​

When we offer people a choice, we often use like to mean ‘want (to)’ in subordinate clauses. Note that to is not used.

  • ‘Can I go now?’ ‘If you like.’ (not If you like to.)
  • Do it any way you like.
  • Come when you like.
  • You can sit wherever you like.