00 / Modal Verbs
Requests and offers
Use 'Would you like...?' to offer things to people and 'I'd like...' to ask for things politely.
A1Beginner
01 / Overview
In English, we use specific phrases to be polite when we want something or when we give something to others. Would you like is a polite way to make an offer. I would like (or the short form I'd like) is a polite way to make a request.
02 / Form
Would you like / I'd like + [noun/verb]
Use these structures with a noun or a verb (with 'to').
- Offers: Would you like + noun / to + verb?
- Requests: I'd like + noun / to + verb.
03 / Examples
04 / Polite vs. Direct
'I want' can sound rude in shops or restaurants. 'I'd like' is the standard polite choice for adults.
| Direct (Less Polite) | Polite |
|---|---|
| I want a tea. | I'd like a tea, please. |
| Do you want a cookie? | Would you like a cookie? |
05 / Common mistakes
I like a coffee, please.
I'd like a coffee, please.
'I like' refers to a general preference, but 'I'd like' is a request for now.
Do you like some water?
Would you like some water?
Use 'Would you like' for an offer. 'Do you like' asks if they enjoy water in general.
06 / Practice
Complete the offer: "_______ you like a menu?"
Show answer
Answer: Would
Why: We use 'Would' at the start of the sentence to make a polite offer.
Make a request for 'a sandwich' using the short form of 'I would'.
Show answer
Answer: I'd like a sandwich.
Why: 'I'd like' is the contraction of 'I would like' and is used for polite requests.
Choose the correct verb form: "Would you like (drink / to drink) some tea?"
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Answer: to drink
Why: When using a verb after 'would you like', we must use the 'to' infinitive form.