How to express 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.”

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.)

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.