Sign in
Likes, abilities and requests, part 1 of 6
Like + -ing: How to Talk About What You Like (I Like Swimming)
After like, love, enjoy, and hate the verb takes -ing: I like swimming. It does not mean now: it is what you like in general.
The idea
What like + -ing is
It is how you say what you like doing: the verb of liking and then the other verb with -ing. It is about always, not now.
- The verb with -ing. I like cooking.
- Four verbs of liking. Like, love, enjoy, hate: We enjoy hiking.
- It is the present simple. Negatives and questions with do and does: Does she like it?
When to use it
To talk about your likes, your hobbies, and what you cannot stand, and to ask about other people's. These expressions go with it:
Hobbies
- going out
- playing video games
- working out
- cooking for friends
What few people enjoy
- getting up early
- doing the dishes
- going to the dentist
To ask
- What do you like doing?
- Do you enjoy it?
- Does she like hiking?
Examples
- A hobby
I like reading before bed.
- Something you love
My dad loves fishing.
- Something you hate
I hate waiting in line.
- Something you enjoy
We enjoy walking on the beach.
- Asking
Do you like singing?
- What someone does not like
She doesn't like driving at night.
How to build it
3 steps
- Choose the verbLike, love, enjoy, or hate:I love
- Add the verb with -ingWith the -ing spelling rules (swim: swimming):I love swimming.
- Negatives and questions with do and doesLike is in the present simple:She doesn't like cooking.
A like
- SubjectThey
- like / love / enjoy / hateenjoy
- verb + -ingplaying
- complementchess.
Question
- Do / DoesDoes
- subjecthe
- likelike
- verb + -ingcooking
- ??
The rule
The four verbs
| Verb | How much | Example |
|---|---|---|
| love + -ing | a lot | I love painting. |
| like + -ing | yes | I like hiking. |
| enjoy + -ing | with pleasure | I enjoy baking. |
| hate + -ing | not at all | I hate ironing. |
How to pronounce it
swimming
/ˈswɪmɪŋ/The final ng is one sound, /ŋ/.
cooking
/ˈkʊkɪŋ/The oo is a short /ʊ/.
dancing
/ˈdænsɪŋ/The a is open, as in cat: /æ/.
reading
/ˈridɪŋ/The ea is a long /i/.
Check
Which one says you love it?
Don't confuse it with would like
I like swimming.
In general
I'd like to swim now.
Right now
I like swimming is a general like. I would like to swim is what you want now, or a polite request, and it takes to.
Would likeIn real life
Like to is also correct in American English: I like to swim means the same as I like swimming. Not with enjoy: enjoy always takes -ing.
Frequently asked questions
Does like + -ing go in the present continuous?
No: I like swimming is the present simple with an -ing verb after it. For a general like, not I am liking swimming.
How do you say you really do not like something?
I don't like it at all, or with -ing: I don't like cooking at all. Stronger: I hate cooking.
Does mind take -ing too?
Yes, to say something does not bother you: I don't mind waiting.
What is "go swimming" or "go shopping"?
Go plus -ing is for activities: go swimming, go shopping, go dancing. With a like: I love going shopping.
In short
- After like, love, enjoy, and hate: the verb with -ing.
- It is a general like: I like swimming, not right now.
- Negatives and questions with do and does: She doesn't like cooking.
- Would like is different: what you want now, with to.