ENGLISH
REFERENCE

I would like to

fixed phr..
A1 Beginner Oxford

fixed phr.. A polite way to say what you want to do or have. You use it when asking for something in a store, a restaurant, or in a formal situation.

fixed phr.. A polite fixed expression used to state a desire or make a request, functioning as a more formal and less direct alternative to 'I want to...'.


SIMPLE

I would like to buy a ticket.

CONTEXTUAL

Excuse me, I would like to speak to the manager about my reservation.

COMPLEX

Following the presentation, I would like to open the floor for questions from the board members.

Usage

This phrase is followed by a base verb (e.g., 'go', 'see', 'ask') to form a polite request.

Teaching tip

Contrast this with 'I want to...', which is more direct and can sound demanding, and teach the contracted form 'I'd like to...' for spoken fluency.

Pitfall

I would like going to the cinema.I would like to go to the cinema.The phrase 'would like' must be followed by the 'to'-infinitive form of a verb, not the -ing form.

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