Coffee, music, pizza or rain? This guide shows you how to say what you like and what you don’t like in English, and how to find someone who agrees.
This article is the reading companion to the free Mondosol lesson English A1: Likes & Dislikes (I Like, I Don’t Like), part of the English course. Read it, watch the videos, or press play and listen first, then practise in the lesson.
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In this article
Like, love, hate: the main verbs
Use these verbs to say how you feel about things. After I there is no -s.
| Say | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I love | Stronger than like. | I love pizza. I love my city. |
| I like | You enjoy something. | I like tea. |
| I don’t mind | It is fine, not good or bad. | I don’t mind the rain. |
| I don’t like | Negative: don’t + like. | I don’t like rain. (not “I no like”) |
| I hate | A very strong dislike. Use it for food and Mondays, not for people. | I hate cold coffee. |
He, she and it: add -s
With he, she or it, the verb takes -s: she likes, he loves. The negative is doesn’t + the base verb.
| Positive | Negative |
|---|---|
| She likes music. | She doesn’t like loud music. |
| He loves football. | He doesn’t love running. |
| I like filter coffee. | I don’t like instant coffee. |
Filter coffee is coffee brewed slowly through a paper filter.
Asking: Do you like…?
Start with do and use the base verb. Answer with a short answer.
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Do you like pizza? | Yes, I do. / No, I don’t. |
| Does she like music? | Yes, she does. / No, she doesn’t. |
| What do you like? | I like tea and long walks. |
Agreeing: Me too and Me neither
Use Me too after a positive sentence, and Me neither after a negative sentence.
| Speaker A | Speaker B |
|---|---|
| I like tea. | Me too. |
| I don’t like rain. | Me neither. |
| I love pizza. | Really? I don’t! |
Like + noun or like + -ing
After like you can use a noun (I like music) or a verb with -ing (I like swimming).
Do not mix up I like and I’d like. I like coffee means you enjoy coffee in general. I’d like a coffee is a polite way to order one now.
Practise in 2 minutes
- Say three things you like and one thing you don’t like.
- Ask a friend: Do you like …? Then answer with Me too or Me neither.
- Order politely: I’d like a coffee, please.
Watch: likes and dislikes
Two videos show these sentences in real conversations. Repeat them out loud.
Video: “How to talk about likes and dislikes: Easy English Conversations 💬 Episode 7” by BBC Learning English, on YouTube.
Video: “English for Beginners #26: Likes & Dislikes | Easy English at Home” by Easy English at Home, on YouTube.
Take it further
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between “like” and “love”?
Love is stronger than like. You love pizza, but you like tea.
Why do I say “she likes” with an s?
With he, she and it, the verb takes -s in the positive. In a negative or a question, use doesn’t or does and the base verb.
When do I say “Me too” and “Me neither”?
Say Me too after a positive sentence. Say Me neither after a negative sentence.
Is “I hate” rude?
It is very strong. Use it for food, weather and Mondays, not for people.
What is the difference between “I like” and “I’d like”?
I like talks about things you enjoy. I’d like is a polite way to ask for something now.
Keep learning
- Course: English
- Lesson (practise it): English A1: Likes & Dislikes
- Read next: Weather and Seasons and The Verb To Be
Examples are written for learners. Everyday speech may differ between British and American English.
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