Would Like
'Would like' is a polite way to express a wish or make an offer or request. It is followed by a noun or by 'to' plus the base verb.
Level A1
Modals
Summary
- 'Would like' is a polite way to express a wish or make an offer or request. It is followed by a noun or by 'to' plus the base verb.
Structure
subject + would like + noun / to + base verb
Examples
- I would like a cup of tea.
- Would you like to dance?
- She'd like to see the menu, please.
- We would like two tickets.
Common mistakes
- • Dropping 'to' before a verb, e.g. 'I would like go' instead of 'I would like to go'.
- • Confusing 'would like' (a specific wish now) with 'like' (a general preference), e.g. 'Do you like a coffee?' instead of 'Would you like a coffee?'.
More modals
Can / Could (Ability and Permission)
A2
Use 'can' for present ability and informal permission or requests. Use 'could' for past ability and for more polite requests.
Must / Have To (Obligation)
B1
Use 'must' and 'have to' to express obligation or necessity. 'Mustn't' means something is forbidden, while 'don't have to' means there is no obligation.
May / Might (Possibility)
B1
Use 'may' and 'might' to talk about present or future possibility. 'May' is also used for formal permission.
Would for Past Habits
B2
Use 'would' to talk about repeated past actions and habits, similar to 'used to'. Unlike 'used to', 'would' is not normally used for past states.
Would (Polite Requests and Hypotheticals)
B1
Use 'would' for polite requests and offers, for hypothetical results (especially in conditionals), and to describe imagined situations.
Can and Can't for Ability
A1
Use 'can' to say someone is able to do something and 'can't' for inability. 'Can' is followed by the base form of the verb and stays the same for all subjects.