How to Express Likes and Dislikes
Expressing Likes
- I like…
- I love…
- I enjoy…
- I adore…
- I ‘m crazy about…
- I’m mad about…
- I enjoy…
- I’m keen on…
- I’m really into…
- I live for…
- … is my thing
- I’m fond of…
Expressing Dislikes
- I don’t like…
- I dislike…
- I hate…
- I abhor…
- I can’t bear…
- I can’t stand…
- I detest…
- I loathe…
- I can’t stand
- I don’t really care for…
- I’m not into…
- I’m not a huge fan of…
Examples of Likes and Dislikes
- I’m mad about basketball, but I can’t bear ice hockey.
- I adore reading poetry, but I loathe doing the housework.
If you neither Like nor Dislike something
- “I don’t mind doing the housework.”
Things to Remember about Likes and Dislikes
1. When these expressions are followed by a verb, the latter is put in the -ing form.
Examples:
- “I like listening to music.”
- “I hate wearing sunglasses.”
I like/ I detest/ I don’t mind + Verb_ing
2. Note that” very much” & ” a lot” always come after the things you like.
Examples:
- “I like basketball very much/a lot. NOT” I like very much/a lot basketball.”
3. Be careful when you use “I don’t mind…”
Examples:
- “Do you mind playing football?”
- “No, I don’t mind.”(Although it’s in a negative form, it means that it’s ok for me. I neither love it nor hate it.)
Dialogue about Likes and Dislikes
Steve is at home. His girlfriend comes in…Notice how they express their likes and dislikes
Steve: Hello, darling. Do you fancy watching a film tonight?
Girlfriend: Oh, no thanks, I don’t really feel like watching a film tonight. How about going out instead.
Steve: OK. Do you feel like going to the theater?
Girlfriend: Oh, no. I hate it. Do you like eating at the new Chinese restaurant?
Steve: I don’t mind. The Chinese cuisine is alright.
Girlfriend: Well I really love it. Let’s go.
