Would like / I'd like: polite wants and offers
'Would like' is the polite English way to say you want something, and it's the natural choice for ordering, requesting, and offering. Follow it with a noun or with 'to' + verb: "I'd like a glass of water" or "She'd like to leave early." To make a polite offer, turn it into a question: "Would you like some tea?" Don't confuse it with 'I like', which talks about a general preference rather than a present want, and never drop the 'to' before a verb (say "I'd like to book a table," not "I'd like book a table").
Examples
- I'd like a glass of water. a polite request for water
- Would you like some tea? offering tea politely
- She'd like to leave early. she wants to leave early
The full lesson
Everything in the video, in text.
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Walk into a café and say I want a coffee — it can sound blunt, even rude. There's a softer phrase native speakers reach for instead.
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That phrase is would like. It means want, but it sounds polite and gentle — the default for ordering, asking, and offering.
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In speech we almost always shorten I would to I'd. So I would like becomes I'd like — that's the form you'll actually hear. I'd like.
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There are two patterns. Follow it with a noun for a thing, or with to plus a verb for an action. Keep that little to — it's not optional.
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Start with a thing. A noun follows directly. I'd like a glass of water.
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Now an action. Add to before the verb. She'd like to leave early.
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To make an offer, turn it into a question: Would you like…? It's the warm, hospitable way to offer anything. Would you like some tea?
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And the question works with to plus a verb too — perfect for inviting someone. Would you like to join us?
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Here's the big trap. I like coffee and I'd like a coffee are not the same. I like is a general preference, always true. I'd like is a want, right now.
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And don't drop the to. Before a verb it's required — I'd like book a table is wrong. Say I'd like to book a table.
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One more handy use: politely answering an offer with I'd love to or just Yes, please. Yes, I'd love some.
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So remember: I'd like plus a noun for a thing, plus to and a verb for an action, and Would you like…? to offer. Polite, every time.