Verbs
Would Like is used to express our requests or offers more politely.
Would is a modal auxiliary verb and when it is used with Like, it constitutes as a request or offer in a polite way. In this structure the form is always the same, even for the third person. We usually find this structure in its three forms:
Affirmative
The Affirmative form of the verb Would Like has this structure:
Subject + would like.
| SUBJECT | WOULD LIKE | SHORT FORM |
| I | would like | I’d like |
| You | would like | You’d like |
| He | would like | He’d like |
| She | would like | She’d like |
| It | would like | It’d like |
| We | would like | We’d like |
| You | would like | You’d like |
| They | would like | They’d like |
Negative
The Negative form of the verb Would Like has this structure:
Subject + would + not + like.
| SUBJECT | WOULD | NEGATION+LIKE | SHORT FORM |
| I | would | not like | wouldn’t like |
| You | would | not like | wouldn’t like |
| He | would | not like | wouldn’t like |
| She | would | not like | wouldn’t like |
| It | would | not like | wouldn’t like |
| We | would | not like | wouldn’t like |
| You | would | not like | wouldn’t like |
| They | would | not like | wouldn’t like |
Interrogative
The Interrogative form of the verb Would Like has this structure:
Would + subject + like + …?
| WOULD | SUBJECT | LIKE | QUESTION MARK |
| Would | I | like | …? |
| Would | you | like | …? |
| Would | he | like | …? |
| Would | she | like | …? |
| Would | it | like | …? |
| Would | we | like | …? |
| Would | you | like | …? |
| Would | they | like | …? |
Affirmative
- I would like some omelette, please.
- She would like some tomato in the salad.
- They would like 2 tickets for bus 89.
Negative
- I wouldn’t like omelette.
- She wouldn’t like tomato in the salad.
- They wouldn’t like tickets for bus 89.
Interrogative
- Would you like some omelette?
- Would she like some tomato in her salad?
- Would they like tickets for bus 89?
We use the verb Would Like to say “want” in a more polite way expecially when we are making an offer or a request.
NOTE: Like has a different meaning than Would Like. Like is used to express the idea of enjoying something.
We use Would Like to express our requests or offers in a more polite way, which is not as strong as “want“. We use different structures depending on the form we need to use (Affirmative, Negative and Interrogative).
The verb Would Like has this structure:
- Affirmative: Subject + would like;
- Negative: Subject + would + not + like;
- Interrogative: Would + subject + like + …?
For example:
— Affirmative: “I would like a cup of tea.” = The subject (I) wants tea.
— Negative: “I wouldn’t like a cup of tea.” = The subject (I) does not want tea.
— Interrogative: “Would you like a cup of tea?” = The subject (you) is being asked if they want tea.
Let’s revise this content within the [Form] section. Take a look at the [Example] section that shows its use within a context.