Would you like…?
We use Would you like…? to offer something or to invite somebody to do something. Would you like…? = ‘Do you want…?’
- Would you like some cake? (=Do you want some cake?)
- Would you like some coffee?
- Would you like to go to the cinema? (=Do you want to go to the cinema?)
- Where would you like to go?
I’d like
We use I’d like (=I would like) to talk about something that we want or something that we want to do.
- I’d like some water, please. (=I want some water.)
- I’d like more information about this product.
- I’d like to go to the zoo. (=I want to go to the zoo.)
- I’d like to have a lemonade.
Like
We use like + things or people to say that we think these things or people are nice or good.
- I like coffee. (=I think coffee is good.)
- I like John. (=I think John is nice.)
We use like + -ing verb to say that we enjoy doing something.
- I like dancing. (=I enjoy dancing.)
- I like going to the cinema. (=I enjoy going to the cinema.)
We use do in questions.
- Do you like coffee?
- Do you like going to the cinema?
Like vs would like
Compare the following sentences:
- I like tea. (=I think tea is good.)
- I’d like some tea. (=I want some tea.)
- Do you like tea? (=Do you think tea is good?)
- Would you like some tea? (=Do you want some tea?)
We use like + -ing verb and would like + to + infinitive. Compare:
- I like going to the cinema. (=I enjoy going to the cinema.)
- I’d like to go to the cinema. (=I want to go to the cinema.)
- Do you like going to the cinema? (=Do you enjoy going to the cinema?)
- Would you like to go to the cinema? (=Do you want to go to the cinema?)