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English grammar

I would like …

A0 · Starter Verbs and time Questions 10

The rule

I want is correct English and sounds blunt to a stranger. In a shop, a café, a surgery or an office, English asks with I would like: I would like a coffee. I would like to make an appointment. Learn it as one block — the words never change, and what follows is either a thing or to plus the plain verb. The question form is Would you like …?

Pattern

I would like + a thing | I would like to + plain verb

Examples

  1. I would like a coffee, please.

  2. I would like to make an appointment.

  3. What would you like to drink?

  4. I would like the chicken.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: I would like a coffee — I want a coffee

    Right: I would like a coffee

    Both are grammatical. To a stranger, only one is polite.

  • Wrong: I would like make an appointment.

    Right: I would like to make an appointment.

    A verb after would like needs its to.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    You are ordering in a café.

    1. I would like coffee a, please.
    2. I would liked a coffee, please.
    3. I would like a coffee, please.
    4. I would like to a coffee, please.
    Show answer

    Answer: C I would like a coffee, please.

    A thing follows would like directly.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    1. I would like to make an appointment.
    2. I would to like make an appointment.
    3. I would like make an appointment.
    4. I would like making an appointment.
    Show answer

    Answer: A I would like to make an appointment.

    A verb after would like takes to.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    I would like _____ open an account.

    1. to
    2. —
    3. that
    4. for
    Show answer

    Answer: A I would like to open an account.

    to before the plain verb.

  4. 4Fill in the gap.

    What _____ you like to drink?

    1. do
    2. does
    3. would
    4. are
    Show answer

    Answer: C What would you like to drink?

    The question begins with Would.

  5. 5Choose the correct sentence.

    1. She woulds like a small salad.
    2. She would likes a small salad.
    3. She would like a small salad.
    4. She is would like a small salad.
    Show answer

    Answer: C She would like a small salad.

    would never changes for the subject.

  6. 6Put the words in the right order.

    I would like to collect my medicine

    Show answer

    Answer: I would like to collect my medicine.

    would like, to, plain verb, then the rest.

  7. 7Put the words in the right order.

    Would you like some tea

    Show answer

    Answer: Would you like some tea?

    An offer starts with Would.

  8. 8This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Which sentence is wrong?

    1. I would like to ask a question.
    2. I would like a question.
    3. Would you like to ask a question?
    4. I would like ask a question.
    Show answer

    Answer: D I would like ask a question.

    The verb after would like needs to.

  9. 9Choose the correct sentence.

    Someone offers you tea. You want it.

    1. Yes, would.
    2. Yes, I want.
    3. Yes, please.
    4. Yes, I would like it very.
    Show answer

    Answer: C Yes, please.

    Yes, please is the whole answer.

  10. 10Fill in the gap.

    I would like _____ small salad.

    1. to
    2. a
    3. an
    4. some a
    Show answer

    Answer: B I would like a small salad.

    A countable thing takes a.

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