Introduction
Would like is used to express requests or offers more politely.
Form
Would is a modal auxiliary verb and when used with like (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, negative and interrogative.
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 to exchange some euros for pounds.
- She would like some tea.
- They would like 2 tickets for bus 89.
Negative:
- I wouldn’t like to be in your shoes.
- You wouldn’t like it here.
- They wouldn’t like the car I bought.
Interrogative:
- Would you like to learn Spanish?
- Would he like a piece of cake?
- Would they like a drink?
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 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.