Introduction
Would like is used to express requests or offers more politely.
Form
Would [1] is a modal auxiliary verb and when used with like [2] (would like) it forms a request or offer in a polite way. In this structure the form is always the same, even for the third person singular.
We usually find this structure in its three forms:
Affirmative
Its structure, in the affirmative form, is:
Subject + would like + [to + verb]/noun + …
| Subject | would like | To + Verb/ Noun |
|---|---|---|
| I | would like | to work /pizza |
| You | would like | to work /pizza |
| He | would like | to work /pizza |
| She | would like | to work /pizza |
| It | would like | to work /pizza |
| We | would like | to work /pizza |
| You | would like | to work /pizza |
| They | would like | to work /pizza |
Negative
Its structure, in the negative form, is:
Subject + would + not + like + [to + verb]/noun + …
- Short form of the negative form is wouldn’t.
| Subject | would + not | Like | To + Verb/ Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | would not | like | to work /pizza |
| You | would not | like | to work /pizza |
| He | would not | like | to work /pizza |
| She | would not | like | to work /pizza |
| It | would not | like | to work /pizza |
| We | would not | like | to work /pizza |
| You | would not | like | to work /pizza |
| They | would not | like | to work /pizza |
Interrogative
Its structure, in the interrogative form, is:
Would + subject + like + [to + verb]/noun + …?
| Would | Subject | Like | To + Verb/ Noun | Question Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Would | I | like | to work /pizza | …? |
| Would | you | like | to work /pizza | …? |
| Would | he | like | to work /pizza | …? |
| Would | she | like | to work /pizza | …? |
| Would | it | like | to work /pizza | …? |
| Would | we | like | to work /pizza | …? |
| Would | you | like | to work /pizza | …? |
| Would | they | like | to work /pizza | …? |
Example
Affirmative
- I would like some stamps, please.
- She would like to exchange some euros for pounds.
- They would like 2 tickets for bus 89.
Negative
- I wouldn’t like any stamps.
- She wouldn’t like to exchange any euros for pounds.
- They wouldn’t like any tickets for bus 89.
Interrogative
- Would you like any stamps?
- Would she like to exchange some euros for pounds?
- Would they like any tickets for bus 89?
Use
We use would like to say want in a more polite way, especially when we are making an offer or a request.
Summary
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 [2] 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.