Likes, abilities and requests, part 2 of 6

Would Like: The Polite Way to Ask (I'd Like a Coffee)

Would like is the polite way to say what you want: I'd like a coffee, please. With a verb, add to: I'd like to sit here.

A1 · 13 minBefore:Like + -ing

The idea

What would like is

It is the polite way to say what you want and to offer something. It goes with a thing or with to + verb.

Asking politely. In a store or a café: I'd like a sandwich.
Offering and inviting. Would you like to come?
With an action, to. I'd like to sleep.

When to use it

To order in a café or a store, offer something, and invite people politely. These expressions go with it:

In a restaurant

I'd like a table for two.
I'd like to order.
I'd like to pay.
Would you like anything else?

To offer

Would you like a drink?
Would you like to sit down?
Would you like some help?

To answer

Yes, please.
No, thank you.
I'd love to.

Examples

Ordering in a café
I'd like a hot chocolate, please.
Offering
Would you like a cookie?
What you would like to do
I'd like to visit Japan.
Inviting
Would you like to come to my party?
Someone else
My son would like a new bike.
Not wanting
She wouldn't like that.

How to build it

4 steps

Subject + would likeIn speech, short: I'd like.I'd like
With a thing: the thingDirectly, no to:I'd like a tea.
With an action: to + verbThe base verb, with to:I'd like to sit down.
To offer: Would you like...?Would goes first:Would you like some cake?

With a thing

SubjectWe
would likewould like
thingtwo pizzas.

With an action

SubjectShe
would likewould like
to + verbto rest
complementnow.

Question

WouldWould
subjectyou
likelike
thing or to + verbsome juice
??

The rule

Short forms

Full form	Short form	Example
I would	I'd	I'd like a menu.
she would	she'd	She'd like a salad.
would not	wouldn't	We wouldn't like that.

How to pronounce it

i'd like
/aɪd laɪk/
The d is light before like; listen for the short stop.
would
/wʊd/
The l is silent: /wʊd/.
wouldn't
/ˈwʊdənt/
Two syllables.

Check

I'd like (blank) a table for four. Which one goes in the blank?

Don't confuse it with like + -ing

I like cooking.

In general

I'd like to cook tonight.

Tonight

I like cooking is a general like. I'd like to cook is what you want now, or what you ask for.

Part 1: like + -ing

In real life

Would you like...? is the polite way to offer: it sounds better than Do you want...? with people you do not know or with customers.

Frequently asked questions

Does would like take -ing?

No: with a verb, use to. I'd like to go, not I'd like going.

How do you answer "Would you like...?"

Yes, please or No, thank you. For an invitation: I'd love to.

Is I'd like the same as I want?

They mean the same, but I want sounds direct. To order in a store or a restaurant, use I'd like.

In short

To ask politely: I'd like a coffee.
With an action, add to: I'd like to go.
To offer: Would you like some tea?
It is not like + -ing: I like cooking is a general like.

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