Explanations » A1 Grammar Explanations » Would you like…? I’d like…
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  • Would you like…?

    We use Would you like…? to offer something or to invite somebody to do something. Would you like…? = ‘Do you want…?’

    • Would you like some cake? (=Do you want some cake?)
    • Would you like some coffee?
    • Would you like to go to the cinema? (=Do you want to go to the cinema?)
    • Where would you like to go?

    I’d like

    We use I’d like (=I would like) to talk about something that we want or something that we want to do.

    • I’d like some water, please. (=I want some water.)
    • I’d like more information about this product. 
    • I’d like to go to the zoo. (=I want to go to the zoo.)
    • I’d like to have a lemonade. 

    Like

    We use like + things or people to say that we think these things or people are nice or good.

    • I like coffee. (=I think coffee is good.)
    • I like John. (=I think John is nice.)

    We use like + -ing verb to say that we enjoy doing something.

    • I like dancing. (=I enjoy dancing.)
    • I like going to the cinema. (=I enjoy going to the cinema.)

    We use do in questions.

    • Do you like coffee?
    • Do you like going to the cinema?

    Like vs would like

    Comparative grammar chart explaining the differences between 'Would like' and 'Like' in English, with examples and equivalent expressions.

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    Compare the following sentences:

    • I like tea. (=I think tea is good.)
    • I’d like some tea. (=I want some tea.)
    • Do you like tea? (=Do you think tea is good?)
    • Would you like some tea? (=Do you want some tea?)

    We use like + -ing verb or + to-infinitive and would like + to-infinitive. Compare:

    • I like going to the cinema. (=I enjoy going to the cinema.)
    • I’d like to go to the cinema. (=I want to go to the cinema.)
    • Do you like going to the cinema? (=Do you enjoy going to the cinema?)
    • Would you like to go to the cinema? (=Do you want to go to the cinema?)