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    Learn English > English lessons and exercises > English test #114738: To like doing/ to like to do // I would like to do
    > Other English exercises on the same topics: I like, I dislike | Infinitive | -ing [Change theme]
    > Similar tests: - Give your opinion - Adjectives-ing and ed - Infinitive clause - FOR and its use - Gerund - Infinitive phrase - Infinitive in sentences - Look forward to/be used to
    > Double-click on words you don't understand


    To like doing/ to like to do // I would like to do


     

    The verb To LIKE is expressing sentiments, as well as DISLIKE, LOVE, HATE, PREFER. Those verbs of feelings, are never used in the –ing form. They're employed very frequently, but the constructions of those forms are often the source of problems and hesitations for learners.

    1) TO LIKE = is a regular verb and is most often followed by an –ing form, but it may also be followed by a FULL INFINITIVE.  
    - I like getting up early, but I also like to get up later at weekends.

     

    ** For «Beginners», we may rightfully consider that those two forms can be used indifferently.  

     -  I like singing and dancing with my friends; I like talking and hanging around with them, too...

      = I like to sing and dance with my friends; I like to talk and hang around with them too...

     

    REMINDER! A verb ending with the following pattern: "consonant + vowel + consonant", must double the final consonant: -get => getting; run = running; BUT eat=> eating. 

    ** For higher levels of the language, you may notice and feel ("M'am, I can't feel anything!"  ) what you mean in order to make a clear distinction between the different meanings and nuances. 

    - First and foremost, across the Atlantic, in the United States, the two forms are used indifferently, and in any socio-cultural background.

    - It's also mostly the case in Great Britain, though there are, in theory, distinctions between the two forms: 

    - I like speaking English, especially with British people. (It's an assessment of an activity or a fact. )

    - I dislike to wait for friends, especially when I'm outside in the cold. (= It's a bad memory that I don't want to renew.)

    This is the terrible vision I remember (or imagine) of something I don't want to do and may be forced to repeat in a near future. It's a dreaded prediction of the future.

       2) On the contrary, in the conditional: YOU MUSTN'T HESITATE: 'like' is always followed by the INFINITIVE: I WOULD LIKE TO. It's  the only possible form.

       - He would like to create his company with his friends as partners... (= Present of the conditional)

       - We would have liked to meet her before the party, but couldn't.  (= past conditional)

       The anticipation of the future is here clearly expressed. "To like", the FULL INFINITIVE FORM is the only possible construction  behind WOULD.

     

     

                                                              



    There you are! Now, go for the test! 

     



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    English exercise "To like doing/ to like to do // I would like to do" created by here4u with The test builder. [More lessons & exercises from here4u]
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    Once upon a time, there was a little girl, Lucy, who liked orders. She liked things when she wanted and as she wanted.
    Her mom said to her: ' You'd like more cartoons on TV, but I'd prefer you to have your bath and put your pyjamas on before the meal.' When her mom cooked broccoli, she said she prefered rice, which was her favourite food (and so was chocolate!)
    When her parents had decided to take her to the seaside, she grumbled and added that she didn't like in the sea, because there were sharks and urchins and she hated by a jelly fish. She said she'd prefer in the mountains because she liked and loved that big Attraction Park where she has so much fun.

    For this winter holiday, she told her parents she'd like to the mountains again... and that's what they did. She claimed that she loved . Then she said she loved cross-country skiing, but even for that, there wasn't enough snow. Finally, she declared she'd love some racket, but was as discontented as ever because it was impossible too. Grumbling little girls will never stop grumbling!

     










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