like
A1Neutral to informal. Extremely common in all spoken registers; specific uses (e.g., 'like' as a quotative/filler) are highly informal.
Definition
Meaning
to find agreeable, enjoyable, or satisfactory; to have a positive feeling toward something or someone.
Can function as a versatile word meaning similar to (preposition), such as (conjunction), approximately (adverb), resembling (adjective), and to show preference (verb). It is also a common discourse marker/filler.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core verbal meaning expresses a positive but often mild or non-intensive preference ('I like it' vs. 'I love it'). As a preposition meaning 'similar to,' it is central to making comparisons.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal semantic difference. The use of 'like' as a quotative ('He was like, "No way"') and as a discourse filler ('It was, like, really cold') originated in AmE but is now widespread in BrE, though sometimes stigmatized.
Connotations
In both varieties, overuse as a filler can be perceived as hesitant or inarticulate. The quotative 'be like' is firmly established in youth and informal speech.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both. The filler/quotative usage is statistically more frequent in American informal speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
like + noun (I like coffee)like + to-infinitive (I like to swim)like + -ing form (I like swimming)like + object + to-infinitive (I like him to be honest)like + object + -ing (I don't like him shouting)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like father, like son”
- “like it or lump it”
- “like water off a duck's back”
- “like a bull in a china shop”
- “like clockwork”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in expressions of preference ('We would like to proceed') or similarity ('The results are like last quarter's').
Academic
Used cautiously, often replaced with 'such as,' 'similar to,' or 'approximately' to avoid vagueness. The filler 'like' is avoided.
Everyday
Ubiquitous in all functions (verb, preposition, filler, quotative).
Technical
Mostly used in the prepositional sense for comparisons ('a function like this one').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I really like your new haircut.
- Do you like watching football?
- She would like a cup of tea, please.
American English
- I like your new haircut a lot.
- Do you like to watch soccer?
- She would like a cup of coffee, please.
adverb
British English
- It's something like ten miles to the coast.
- They were behaving like children.
American English
- It's like ten miles to the coast.
- They were acting like kids.
adjective
British English
- They are of like mind on the issue.
- We had a like experience years ago.
American English
- They are of like mind on the issue.
- We had a like experience years ago.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I like cats and dogs.
- She looks like her mother.
- Would you like some water?
- I like to go for a run in the morning.
- It feels like autumn today.
- He sounds like he's from London.
- I don't like him criticising my work in public.
- The new model performs like a dream.
- It's nothing like what I expected.
- His latest novel reads like a homage to Hemingway.
- The committee would like the report to be submitted by Friday.
- The political landscape has shifted to something like its pre-war state.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the 'thumb's up' symbol (👍). A thumb pointing UP means you LIKE something.
Conceptual Metaphor
AFFECTION IS WARMTH ('I'm warming to him'), PREFERENCE IS TASTE ('It's not to my taste'), SIMILARITY IS PROXIMITY ('close to the truth').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Confusing verb 'like' (нравиться) with adverb 'like' (похоже на).
- Overusing 'how' (как) when 'like' (похоже на) is needed for simile ('He swims like a fish', not 'He swims how a fish').
- Translating 'would like' word-for-word as 'хотеть бы' instead of the fixed phrase 'хотел(а) бы'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I am liking this song.' (Generally avoid progressive for stative preference) Correct: 'I like this song.'
- Incorrect: 'It looks like it is going to rain.' (informal conjunction) Formal preference: 'It looks as if it is going to rain.'
- Incorrect overuse as a filler: 'So I was like, you know, like, going to the shop, like...'
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'like' used as a conjunction, a usage often discouraged in formal writing?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, 'as' or 'as if' were prescribed in such clauses ('Do it as I do'). However, using 'like' as a conjunction is now extremely common in informal speech and is widely accepted by modern descriptive grammars, though it may still be flagged in very formal writing.
Often interchangeable with little difference. A subtle distinction exists: '-ing' can emphasize the general enjoyment of the activity ('I like skiing'), while the 'to-infinitive' can imply a habitual choice or preference ('I like to ski on fresh powder'). For specific occasions, 'would like to' is used ('I'd like to ski tomorrow').
It is criticized when overused as a discourse marker or filler ('He was, like, so angry, and I was, like, totally shocked'). This usage is associated with informal, often youth, speech and can be perceived as a lack of vocabulary or precision.
Typically no, as it's a stative verb describing a state, not an action. However, in very informal, contemporary speech, especially in marketing contexts ('I'm really liking this new phone'), it is sometimes used for emphasis, but this is non-standard and should be avoided in formal contexts.
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A1 · 50 words · Essential action words used in everyday conversation.
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