Would Like

We use would like to express our requests or offers in a more polite way, which is not as strong as want.

We can use it in its different forms:

• affirmative: we start with the subject followed by would like and a verb in the infinitive form or a noun.
• negative: we start with the subject followed by would not like and a verb in the infinitive form or a noun.
• interrogative: we start with would followed by the subject followed by like and a verb in the infinitive form or a noun (the sentence ends with a question mark).

For example:
— Affirmative: “I would like a cup of tea.”
— Negative: “I wouldn’t like a cup of tea.”
— Interrogative: “Would you like a cup of tea?”

NOTE: Like has a different meaning than would like: like is used to express the idea of enjoying something.

For example:
— “I would like to do some sport.” = We use would like to express the subject’s desire to do some sport.
♦ “I like sport.” = We use like to express that the subject enjoys doing sports.

Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.