I. PREPOSITION AND CONJUNCTION USES
/laɪk, laɪk/
( likes)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
If you say that one person or thing is like another, you mean that they share some of the same qualities or features.
He looks like Father Christmas...
Kathy is a great mate, we are like sisters...
It’s nothing like what happened in the mid-Seventies...
This is just like old times.
...a mountain shaped like a reclining woman.
PREP
2.
If you talk about what something or someone is like , you are talking about their qualities or features.
What was Bulgaria like?...
What did she look like?...
What was it like growing up in Hillsborough?...
PREP
3.
You can use like to introduce an example of the set of things or people that you have just mentioned.
The neglect that large cities like New York have received over the past 12 years is tremendous...
He could say things like, ‘Let’s go to the car’ or ‘Let us go for a walk’ in French.
= such as
PREP : n PREP n / -ing
4.
You can use like to say that someone or something is in the same situation as another person or thing.
It also moved those who, like me, are too young to have lived through the war...
PREP
5.
If you say that someone is behaving like something or someone else, you mean that they are behaving in a way that is typical of that kind of thing or person. Like is used in this way in many fixed expressions, for example to cry like a baby and to watch someone like a hawk .
I was shaking all over, trembling like a leaf...
Greenfield was behaving like an irresponsible idiot.
PREP : v PREP n
6.
You can use like in expressions such as that’s just like her and it wasn’t like him to indicate that the person’s behaviour is or is not typical of their character.
You should have told us. But it’s just like you not to share...
PREP : v-link PREP n
7.
Like is sometimes used as a conjunction in order to say that something appears to be the case when it is not. Some people consider this use to be incorrect.
On the train up to Waterloo, I felt like I was going on an adventure.
= as if
CONJ
8.
Like is sometimes used as a conjunction in order to indicate that something happens or is done in the same way as something else. Some people consider this use to be incorrect.
People are strolling, buying ice cream for their children, just like they do every Sunday...
He spoke exactly like I did...
We really were afraid, not like in the cinema.
= as
CONJ
9.
You can use like in negative expressions such as nothing like it and no place like it to emphasize that there is nothing as good as the situation, thing, or person mentioned.
There’s nothing like candlelight for creating a romantic mood...
There was no feeling like it in the world.
PREP : with neg [ emphasis ]
10.
You can use like in expressions such as nothing like to make an emphatic negative statement.
Three hundred million dollars will be nothing like enough...
It’s really not anything like as bad as it looks.
PREP : with neg [ emphasis ]
II. VERB USES
/laɪk/
( likes, liking, liked)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
If you like something or someone, you think they are interesting, enjoyable, or attractive.
He likes baseball...
I can’t think why Grace doesn’t like me...
What music do you like best?...
I just didn’t like being in crowds...
Do you like to go swimming?...
I like my whisky neat...
That’s one of the things I like about you. You’re strong.
VERB : no cont , V n , V n , V n , V -ing , V to-inf , V n adj / prep , V n about n / -ing
2.
If you ask someone how they like something, you are asking them for their opinion of it and whether they enjoy it or find it pleasant.
How do you like America?...
How did you like the trip?
VERB : no cont , no passive , V n / -ing , V n / -ing
3.
If you like something such as a particular course of action or way of behaving, you approve of it.
I’ve been looking at the cookery book. I like the way it is set out...
The US administration would like to see a negotiated settlement to the war...
Opal, his wife, didn’t really like him drinking so much...
I don’t like relying on the judges’ decisions.
VERB : no cont , V n , V to-inf , V n -ing , V -ing , also V n about n / -ing
4.
If you say that you like to do something or that you like something to be done, you mean that you prefer to do it or prefer it to be done as part of your normal life or routine.
I like to get to airports in good time...
I hear Mary’s husband likes her to be home no later than six o’clock.
VERB : no cont , no passive , V to-inf , V n to-inf
5.
If you say that you would like something or would like to do something, you are indicating a wish or desire that you have.
I’d like a bath...
If you don’t mind, I think I’d like to go home.
VERB : no cont , no passive , V n , V to-inf
6.
You can say that you would like to say something to indicate that you are about to say it.
I’d like to apologize...
I would like to take this opportunity of telling you about a new service which we are offering.
VERB : no cont , no passive , V to-inf , V to-inf
7.
If you ask someone if they would like something or would like to do something, you are making a polite offer or invitation.
Here’s your change. Would you like a bag?...
Perhaps while you wait you would like a drink at the bar...
Would you like to come back for coffee?
VERB : no cont , no passive , V n , V n , V to-inf [ politeness ]
8.
If you say to someone that you would like something or you would like them to do something, or ask them if they would like to do it, you are politely telling them what you want or what you want them to do.
I’d like an explanation...
We’d like you to look around and tell us if anything is missing...
Would you like to tell me what happened?
VERB : no cont , no passive , V n , V n to-inf , V to-inf [ politeness ]
III. NOUN USES AND PHRASES
/laɪk/
( likes)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
You can use like in expressions such as like attracts like , when you are referring to two or more people or things that have the same or similar characteristics.
You have to make sure you’re comparing like with like...
Homeopathic treatment is based on the ‘like cures like’ principle.
N-UNCOUNT
2.
Someone’s likes are the things that they enjoy or find pleasant.
I thought that I knew everything about Jemma: her likes and dislikes, her political viewpoints.
≠ dislikes
N-PLURAL : usu poss N
3.
see also liking
4.
You say if you like when you are making or agreeing to an offer or suggestion in a casual way.
You can stay here if you like...
‘Shall we stop talking about her?’—‘If you like.’
PHRASE : PHR with cl
5.
You say if you like when you are expressing something in a different way, or in a way that you think some people might disagree with or find strange.
This is more like a downpayment, or a deposit, if you like.
= let’s say
PHRASE : PHR with cl / group
6.
You can use the expressions like anything , like crazy , or like mad to emphasize that someone is doing something or something is happening in a very energetic or noticeable way. ( INFORMAL )
He’s working like mad at the moment.
PHRASE : PHR after v [ emphasis ]
7.
You say like this , like that , or like so when you are showing someone how something is done.
It opens and closes, like this.
PHRASE : usu PHR with cl
8.
You use like this or like that when you are drawing attention to something that you are doing or that someone else is doing.
I’m sorry to intrude on you like this...
Stop pacing like that.
PHRASE : PHR after v
9.
You use the expression something like with an amount, number, or description to indicate that it is approximately accurate.
They can get something like £3,000 a year...
‘When roughly would this be? Monday?’—‘Something like that.’
= about
PHRASE : PHR n
10.
If you refer to something the like of which or the likes of which has never been seen before, you are emphasizing how important, great, or noticeable the thing is.
...technological advances the like of which the world had previously only dreamed of...
We are dealing with an epidemic the likes of which we have never seen in this century.
= such as
PHRASE : n PHR cl [ emphasis ]