English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 58: Verb + -ing or to ... 3 (like / would like etc.)

Like / love / hate

When you talk about repeated actions, you can use -ing or to ... after these verbs. So you can say:
  • Do you like getting up early? or Do you like to get up early?
  • Stephanie hates flying. or Stephanie hates to fly.
  • I love meeting people. or I love to meet people.
  • I don't like being kept waiting. or ... like to be kept waiting.
  • I don't like friends calling me at work. or ... friends to call me at work.

but
(1) We use -ing (not to ... ) when we talk about a situation that already exists (or existed). For example:
  • Paul lives in Berlin now. He likes living there. (He likes living in Berlin = He lives there and he likes it)
  • Do you like being a student? (You are a student - do you like it?)
  • The office I worked in was horrible. I hated working there. (I worked there and I hated it)

(2) There is sometimes a difference between I like to do and I like doing:

I like doing something = I do it and I enjoy it:
  • I like cleaning the kitchen. (= I enjoy it.)

I like to do something = I think it is a good thing to do, but I don't necessarily enjoy it:
  • It's not my favourite job, but I like to clean the kitchen as often as possible.

Note that enjoy and mind are always followed by -ing (not to ... ):
  • I enjoy cleaning the kitchen. (not I enjoy to clean)
  • I don't mind cleaning the kitchen. (not I don't mind to clean)

Would like / would love / would hate / would prefer

Would like / would love etc. are usually followed by to ... :
  • I'd like (= I would like) to go away for a few days.
  • Would you like to come to dinner on Friday?
  • I wouldn't like to go on holiday alone.
  • I'd love to meet your family.
  • Would you prefer to have dinner now or later?

Compare I like and I would like (I'd like):
  • I like playing tennis. / I like to play tennis. (= I like it in general)
  • I'd like to play tennis today. (= I want to play today)

Would mind is always followed by -ing (not to ... ):
  • Would you mind closing the door, please?

I would like to have done something = I regret now that I didn't or couldn't do it:
  • It's a shame we didn't see Anna when we were in London. I would like to have seen her again.
  • We'd like to have gone away, but we were too busy at home.

You can use the same structure after would love / would hate / would prefer:
  • Poor David! I would hate to have been in his position.
  • I'd love to have gone to the party, but it was impossible.

58.1 Write sentences about yourself. Say whether you like or don't like these activities. Choose one of these verbs for each sentence:

  • like / don't like
  • love
  • hate
  • enjoy
  • don't mind
  1. (fly) .
  2. (play cards) __________ .
  3. (be alone) __________ .
  4. (go to museums) __________ .
  5. (cook) __________ .

58.2 Make sentences from the words in brackets. Use -ing or to .... Sometimes either form is possible.

  1. Paul lives in Berlin now. It's nice. He likes it. (he / like / live / there)
    .
  2. Jane is a biology teacher. She likes her job. (she / like / teach / biology)
    She __________ .
  3. Joe always has his camera with him and takes a lot of pictures. (he / like / take / pictures)
    __________ .
  4. I used to work in a supermarket. I didn't like it much. (I / not / like / work / there)
    __________ .
  5. Rachel is studying medicine. She likes it. (she / like / study / medicine)
    __________ .
  6. Dan is famous, but he doesn't like it. (he / not / like / be / famous)
    __________ .
  7. Jennifer is a very careful person. She doesn't take many risks. (she / not / like / take / risks)
    __________ .
  8. I don't like surprises. (I / like / know / things / in advance)
    __________ .

58.3 Complete each sentence with a verb in the correct form, -ing or to .... In one sentence either form is possible.

  1. It's good to visit other places - I enjoy .
  2. 'Would you like __________ down?' 'No, thanks. I'll stand.'
  3. I'm not quite ready yet. Would you mind __________ a little longer?
  4. When I was a child, I hated __________ to bed early.
  5. When I have to catch a train, I'm always worried that I'll miss it. So I like __________ to the station in plenty of time.
  6. I enjoy __________ busy. I don't like it when there's nothing to do.
  7. I would love __________ to your wedding, but I'm afraid it isn't possible.
  8. I don't like __________ in this part of town. I want to move somewhere else.
  9. Do you have a minute? I'd like __________ to you about something.
  10. If there's bad news and good news, I like __________ the bad news first.

58.4 Write sentences using would ... to have (done). Use the verbs in brackets.

  1. It's a shame I couldn't go to the party.
    (like) .
  2. It's a shame I didn't see the programme.
    (like) __________ .
  3. I'm glad I didn't lose my watch.
    (hate) __________ .
  4. It's too bad I didn't meet your parents.
    (love) __________ .
  5. I'm glad I wasn't alone.
    (not / like) __________ .
  6. It's a shame I couldn't travel by train.
    (prefer) __________ .

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