How to use the word like in a sentence

We use like to talk about things or people which we enjoy or feel positive about:

  1. like + noun phrase. I like Sarah but I don’t like her brother much.
  2. like + -ing. I like swimming before breakfast.
  3. like + to-infinitive. She likes to go and see her parents at the weekend.
  4. like + wh-clause. I don’t like what he did.

Contents

  • 1 How do you use like in a sentence?
  • 2 How do you use like as a preposition?
  • 3 How do you use like and likes in a sentence?
  • 4 How do you use like as an adjective?
  • 5 How do you use would like in a sentence?
  • 6 What is like in English grammar?
  • 7 What is like as?
  • 8 What is like or as called?
  • 9 Can like be a noun?
  • 10 Which one is correct like or likes?
  • 11 Is like a slang word?
  • 12 What it means to like something?
  • 13 What does it mean to say like?
  • 14 Would like VS want grammar?
  • 15 Would like to VS like?
  • 16 Is would like past tense?
  • 17 How do you use a verb After like?
  • 18 Can you end a sentence with like?
  • 19 Are similes like?
  • 20 How do you use like comparison?

How do you use like in a sentence?

Like sentence example

  1. The people did not like this.
  2. I can’t imagine what he was thinking to hide a thing like that from you.
  3. He does not like to do anything else.
  4. Far up in the air was an object that looked like a balloon.
  5. I don’t like you to talk like that.
  6. Oh, mother, I would like to know everything.

How do you use like as a preposition?

When used as a preposition, like is followed by a noun. She looks like her mother. He walks like his dad.
If you are like somebody you are similar to him or her.

  1. She is like her mother.
  2. It was a small bird like a sparrow.
  3. She was like her brother.
  4. No one can play the piano like he does.

How do you use like and likes in a sentence?

We can see that the noun “like”, when used with pronouns, can be defined in singular and plural as:

  1. like = I, we, you, they (“I like running”, “We like running”… etc)
  2. likes = He, she, it (“He likes running”… etc)

How do you use like as an adjective?

adjective, (Poetic) lik·er, lik·est. of the same form, appearance, kind, character, amount, etc.: I cannot remember a like instance. corresponding or agreeing in general or in some noticeable respect; similar; analogous: drawing, painting, and like arts.

How do you use would like in a sentence?

Would-like sentence example

  1. I would like to travel there.
  2. Perhaps he would like me to stay in Houston.
  3. Hopefully Alex would like her choice.
  4. I would like something for a special lady.
  5. Why don’t you tell me what you would like to do?
  6. As I started to say, I would like to be left alone.

What is like in English grammar?

“Like” is a preposition that means “similar to”. A preposition is a word that positions nouns in relation to one another, i.e. the when, where, and how regarding the noun’s role in a sentence: in the house, at home, like him etc. “As” is a conjunction.Other conjunctions include ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘so,’ etc.

What is like as?

Definition of like as
chiefly dialectal. : in the way or manner that : as like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them — Psalms 103:13 (Authorized Version) an eddy there … like as you’d expect— C. S. Forester —now usually used with if it was … like as if the films suddenly come real— Richard

What is like or as called?

As and like are prepositions or conjunctions. The prepositions as and like have different meanings. As + noun means ‘in the role of’, like + noun means ‘similar to’ or ‘in the same way as’. Compare. As your father, I’ll help you as much as I can.

Can like be a noun?

As a noun. Like can be used as a noun meaning “preference” or “kind”.She had many likes and dislikes. We’ll never see the like again.

Which one is correct like or likes?

The rule is that ‘I like’ is a grammatically correct statement, whereas ‘I likes’ is not. Although it can be ordinarily found among some ebonics speakers.

Is like a slang word?

Let’s tackle the sometimes loved, sometimes hated word, “like.” Like, have you wondered if there’s a technical term for, like, sticking the word “like” like, throughout a sentence, like, like this? Here’s the gripping answer: it’s an interjectional word. Interjectional speech is often called “slang.”

What it means to like something?

transitive verb. 1a : to feel attraction toward or take pleasure in : enjoy likes baseball. b : to feel toward : regard how would you like a change. 2 : to wish to have : want would like a drink.

What does it mean to say like?

You can use like to say that someone or something is in the same situation as another person or thing.If you say that someone is behaving like something or someone else, you mean that they are behaving in a way that is typical of that kind of thing or person.

Would like VS want grammar?

The verbs differ slightly: want is active and usually takes an object. I want to eat a slice of bread. would like is somewhat (but not always) conditional and hence weaker, more polite.

Would like to VS like?

‘Like’ is a very generally used word because it has various meanings and usages. When using ‘would like’ in a sentence or phrase, ‘like’ must be used as a transitive verb to express a desire for something. It is a polite and mannerly way to request something.

Is would like past tense?

Would is a modal auxiliary verb, and therefore is not inflected for tense. So it doesn’t have a present or a past tense.

How do you use a verb After like?

The verbs “love”, “like” and “hate” are often followed by “gerund” when its meaning is general. So you are usually going to use them in this form. They are followed by a verb in infinitive form to refer to a particular moment or situation. The verb “enjoy” is always followed by a verb in the gerund form.

Can you end a sentence with like?

It’s just a filler word, like ‘Um’ or ‘Er’. The only difference is that it comes at the end of the sentence, and seems to be quite specific to that region. I think a few other regions have similar dialects, and also use ‘like’ at the end of their sentences. For example the Liverpudlian (Liverpool) accent.

Are similes like?

While both similes and metaphors are used to make comparisons, the difference between similes and metaphors comes down to a word. Similes use the words like or as to compare things—“Life is like a box of chocolates.” In contrast, metaphors directly state a comparison—“Love is a battlefield.”

How do you use like comparison?

like + noun
In the following comparisons, like is followed by a noun or a pronoun to say that two things are similar. He’s like a father to me. She’s acting like a child. It’s like a burger but with big mushrooms instead of bread.

Use Like in a sentence. How to use the word Like in a sentence? How is “Like” used in English? What are the rules of use of “Like”? Sentence for Like.

Like - Sentence for Like - Use Like in a Sentence

Definition of Like

Like” can be used as a verb or a preposition and has multiple meanings depending on the context:

As a verb:

  1. To enjoy or have a positive feeling towards something or someone (e.g., “I like chocolate,” “I like your new haircut”).
  2. To show support or agreement with something (e.g., “I like your idea,” “I like the way you think”).
  3. To indicate preference or desire (e.g., “I like the red dress better than the blue one”).
  4. To indicate similarity or comparison (e.g., “She looks like her mother,” “This tastes like chicken”).

As a preposition:

  1. To indicate similarity or comparison (e.g., “She looks like her mother,” “This tastes like chicken”).
  2. To indicate the type or category of something (e.g., “She’s like a sister to me,” “That car is like a tank”).

In social media, “like” is also commonly used as a way to indicate approval or acknowledgement of a post or comment.

How is “Like” used in English? What are the rules of use of “Like”?

Like” is a versatile word in the English language that can be used as a verb, preposition, adjective, or adverb. Here are some common ways that “like” is used in English:

  1. As a verb to indicate enjoyment or preference: “I like pizza” or “I like spending time with my family.”
  2. As a preposition to indicate similarity or comparison: “She sings like an angel” or “This tastes like chicken.”
  3. As an adverb to intensify an adjective or adverb: “He runs like crazy” or “She’s dressed like a movie star.”
  4. As an adjective to describe something that is similar to another thing: “This is a like-new car” or “I want a dress that is like the one she’s wearing.”
  5. As a conjunction to introduce a clause that expresses similarity: “Like many people, I enjoy going to the movies.”

When using “like,” it’s important to keep in mind the context and grammar rules. Here are some general rules for using “like” correctly:

  1. Use “like” as a preposition to compare nouns or noun phrases. For example, “She looks like her mother.”
  2. Use “like” as a verb to describe a preference or enjoyment. For example, “I like hiking in the mountains.”
  3. Use “like” as an adverb to modify a verb or adjective. For example, “She sings like a bird” or “He runs like lightning.”
  4. Use “as” instead of “like” when introducing a clause that includes a verb. For example, “As I was leaving the house, I realized I forgot my keys.”
  5. Be careful not to confuse “like” with “as if” or “as though.” For example, “She looked at me like I was crazy” means “She gave me a crazy look,” while “She looked at me as if I was crazy” means “She looked at me in a way that suggested I was crazy.”

Examples of Like in a sentence

Here are some examples of how to use the word “like” in a sentence:

  1. As a preposition to compare nouns or noun phrases:
  • I want a car like hers.
  • He runs like a cheetah.
  • She dresses like a hippie.
  1. As a verb to express enjoyment or preference:
  • I like sushi.
  • They like to hike in the mountains.
  • She likes watching romantic comedies.
  1. As an adverb to modify a verb or adjective:
  • He sings like an angel.
  • She dances like a pro.
  • They work like dogs.
  1. As a conjunction to introduce a clause expressing similarity:
  • Like many people, I love to travel.
  • He spends money like it’s going out of style.
  • She eats breakfast like a king.
  1. As an adjective to describe something that is similar to another thing:
  • This dress is like the one she’s wearing.
  • I want a computer like his.
  • Her hair looks like silk.

It’s important to note that the use of “like” in a sentence can vary depending on the context and intended meaning.

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“Like” is one of the most commonly used words in English – and when you’re new to learning the language, it can be a bit of a confusing one, as it has so many different meanings!

In fact – did you know that there are actually five different ways to use the word “like”? Phew! Sounds like hard work.

You might hear it a lot in everyday spoken English – especially as it has become very popular to use colloquially. But if you’re not sure on how to use this word correctly, then read on to find out.

Like – to enjoy

One of the most common ways that you’ll hear the word “like” is as a verb – “to like”.

This is a verb used to express the fact that you enjoy something, and it can be used just like many other verbs in English.

For example: “I like walking to work, but she liked to drive instead.”

Nice and simple!

Would like – to request something

“Like” can also be used as an alternative to the verb, “to want”, in a form that is considered less aggressive and demanding, and more polite. You would use the word with the modal verb, “would”, and you always need to use the full phrase “would like”.

For example: “She would like to place her order now.”

Be like – to describe the characteristics of something

This is when the uses of “like” start to get a bit more complex. In this use, the word is used to describe the personality, character or particular traits of something.

In this case it is used with the verb “to be”. If you are using it in the past tense, only the main part of the verb “to be” is changed, and the word “like” stays the same.

For example: “What was he really like?”

Like – as a simile

Developing from the previous use of the word, “like” is often used as a simile – or a comparison with something else, in order to describe something.

Sounds confusing? Let’s take a look at an example!

“The bedroom was like a disaster zone.”

In a simile, you still need to use the verb “to be” with the word “like”, but instead of describing the actual characteristics, you can use something else – which might be drastically different.

For example: “She was nervous and shaky, like a mouse.”

This is a great way of adding a bit more personality into your spoken English, but you would not use similes very often in written English, unless you are writing creatively.

Look like – describing appearances

The last common use of the word “like” is to describe experiences. This is done through the verb “to look like”. You can use this just as in the previous examples when you used the form “to be like”. In this case, the part of the phrase that changes according to tense and subject is “look”, while the word “like” stays the same.

For example: “I look like a really messy person, while she looks like a celebrity!”

Your turn

Understanding how the word “like” is used in different contexts and forms is a really helpful way to build on your English skills – make sure you practice each of the five uses as much as you can!

Examples of how to use the word “like” in a sentence. How to connect “like” with other words to make correct English sentences.

like (prep, vconj): typical or characteristic of; similar to; in the same way or manner as;

Use “like” in a sentence

I’d like to join your group.
She treated him like a king.
I’d like to kiss you.
Would you like a cup of tea?
Stop staring at me like that.
He doesn’t like us.

Back to “3000 Most Common Words in English”

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In English texts and everyday communication, the word “like” serves a variety of purposes. It can act as an adjective, a preposition, an adverb, a conjunction, a noun, or a verb.

  1. Adjective

This word is classified under adjectives if it is used to modify a noun or a pronoun by indicating similarities in qualities or characteristics. For example, in the sentence below:

You’re not talking about like things when you compare football and golf.

The word “like” is used as an adjective that describes the noun “things.”

Definition:

a. having the same or similar qualities

  • Example:
  • I responded in like manner.
  1. Preposition

Another common function of the word “like” is as a preposition that also means “for example” or “similar to.” In the sample sentence below:

Their house is like a barn.

The word “like” is used as a preposition that indicates that the “house” is similar to a “barn.”

Definition:

a. having the same characteristics or qualities as

  • Example:
  • There were other suits like mine in the shop.

b. used to draw attention to the nature of an action or event

  • Example:
  • We apologize for coming over unannounced like this.

c. such as; for example

  • Example:
  • They discussed books like 1984 and Animal Farm.
  1. Adverb

The word ”like” can also be categorized as an adverb if it is used to modify a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Take for example, the sentence below:

The distance is more like 750 miles.

In this sentence, the word modifies the adjective “750,” and is therefore considered as an adverb.

Definition:

a. nearly; approximately

  • Example:
  • It was like 8 feet deep.

b. used in speech as a meaningless filler or to signify the speaker’s uncertainty about an expression just used

  • Example:
  • There was this funny smell—sort of dusty like.
  1. Conjunction

There are also some cases wherein the word “like” is used as a conjunction that connects two clauses to form one sentence. For instance, in the sample sentence below:

I hate girls who change boyfriends like they change clothes.

The word “like” serves as a conjunction that links together the clauses “I hate girls who change boyfriends” and “they change clothes.”

Definition:

a. in the same way that; as

  • Example:
  • They raven down scenery like children do sweetmeats.

b. as though; as if

  • Example:
  • I felt like I’d been kicked by a horse.
  1. Noun

Other times, the word “like” is considered as a noun, which refers to something of the same kind. In the example:

Did you ever hear the like?

The word “like” is used as a noun that is used to indicate a thing of the same kind.

Definition:

a. a thing or things of the same kind

  • Example:
  • We will never see anyone of her like again.
  1. Verb

The word “like” is also typically used as a verb that indicates a state of being. Take for example, the sentence:

He likes baseball more than anything.

In this sentence, the word suggests the state of being of the pronoun “he,” and is therefore considered as a verb.

Definition:

a. to enjoy (something); to get pleasure from (something)

  • Example:
  • I like all Dan Brown’s books.

b. wish for; want

  • Example:
  • Would you like a cup of tea?

Hello, guys! Today I’m going to tell you about one of the most interesting words in the English language: the word LIKE.

Do you know how we can use LIKE? What part of speech is it? What functions can it have?

Let’s begin with a quote that I really like:

“If  you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” (Maya Angelou)

Do you agree with Maya?

So, in this quote, what is the meaning of LIKE? Can you replace it with another word?
Yes, you can. We can say “if you don’t love,” or “If you don’t enjoy”, or “if you’re not fond of”, or “if you’re not keen on” etc. So in this sentence LIKE is a verb which shows preference.

I like swimming, I like dogs, I don’t like rap music.

  • What do you like?
  • What do you dislike? 

Let’s look at this picture. “Would you like some tea?

This woman is asking the man if he wants tea.

So when we talk about what we want or when we ask someone what they want, we can use “would like”.

Would you like to do an exercise on this topic? =)

I really like this song. It is “Help” by The Beatles. Take a break, listen to this great song!

“We can help you, if you like.”

What does “if you like” mean? We use “

if you like

” when we offer our help, or when we suggest something.

We can go to the movies, if you like. (if you like = if you want to do this).

Look at this girl! She’s as graceful as a swan. She dances like a goddess.

What does LIKE mean here? She dances like a goddess.
It means in a similar way, happening in the same way as something else.

What can we say if a man eats too much and too fast?
We can say that he eats like a horse, in the same way as a horse.

Here, like is used as a preposition.

From the Wikipedia article on Keira Knightley, famous English actress: “Knightley was cast in the role due to her close resemblance to Portman; even the two actresses’ mothers had difficulty telling their daughters apart when the girls were in full makeup.”

Can you tell which picture (left or right) shows Keira Knightley and which one shows Natalie Portman?

You’re right, Portman is on the left and Knightley is on the right.

They look like each other, don’t they? Knightley was hired because she looks like Portman.

Look like someone” means that people have similar appearance. We can also say that two people look alike.  We can also use taste, feel, sound, smell with this meaning.
For example: «Your perfume smells like my boyfriend’s! It feels like I just saw him».

We can use “look like” and “feel like” with a more idiomatic meaning.

Compare:

  • She looks like my mother.
  • It looks like Sasha is late again.

In which sentence is “look like” used idiomatically? Yep, in the second one. In the first sentence we’re talking about outward appearance, about eyes, skin, hair color. In the second sentence we mean “it seems that” when we say “it looks like”.

Compare:

  • I feel like he’s here.
  • I feel like singing a song.

In the first sentence, I actually feel as if he’s here, I feel that he’s here, even if he’s not here.
In the second sentence, I want to sing a song, I feel like singing a song. In this case “feel like doing something” is idiomatic.

What do you feel like doing right now?

I love big cities like New York!  Just listen to this song from Frank Sinatra — New York, New York

Do you want to visit big cities like New York?
What does “like” mean in this sentence? Here, we use it to give an example. I can say “I love big cities, such as NY.” It will mean the same thing.

Do you often eat fruits like apples, bananas and berries?

Have you seen the new Les Misérables musical? What’s it like? I want to watch it, but I don’t know if I’ll like it.

So what did I want you to tell me when I said “What’s it like?”

I wanted to hear your opinion about it; I wanted you to tell me what you thought of it. So when we ask someone to describe something or give their opinion, we can ask “What is it like?”

By the way, Les Miserables is a REALLY great film, you should watch it!

So we can use like in these cases:

to like = to enjoy, to think something is nice I like fresh coffee, what do you like?
would like – to ask what someone wants What would you like to eat?
if you like – to suggest or offer something I’ll help you, if you like.
to do something like someone – to do something in the same way    She dresses like a princess!
to look like someone, sound like, feel like, taste like = similar to something You look like me!
it looks like… = it seems that It looks like he is late again.
to feel like doing something = to want to do this right now I feel like going to sleep.
like = for example, such as Big cities like London are very expensive.
What… like? – to ask someone for their opinion What is she like? Is she nice?
 

There are also some more uses of like.
Like can be used as a noun: likes and dislikes. For example: «My friend and I have the same likes and dislikes».
Likes and dislikes are the things you like and don’t like.

What are your likes and dislikes?

We can use “like” as part of an adjective, as the suffix. For example: «This portrait is very lifelike. Who painted it? «

Some of these adjectives are:

  • Childlike (like a child)
  • Ladylike (like a lady)
  • Catlike (like a cat)
  • Lifelike (the same as in life)

Do you know childlike adults?

I also wanted to tell you about this English saying: Like father, like son. What do you think it means?
This photo can help you figure it out.

And now check your understanding with the help of these exercises:

  • Match the question and the answer: http://absolutenglish-972.pagesperso-orange.fr/notes/grammar/like/like.htm
  • You have the answer, write the question: http://absolutenglish-972.pagesperso-orange.fr/notes/grammar/like/like2.htm
  • What part of speech is “like” in this sentence?: http://absolutenglish-972.pagesperso-orange.fr/notes/grammar/like/likeprep.htm
  • Fill in the gaps in the conversation: http://absolutenglish-972.pagesperso-orange.fr/notes/grammar/like/like3.htm

Good luck!  Hope you like this blog =)
 

Ми розглянули правила та приклади використання слова like в англійській мові. Щоб дізнатися більше про англійську граматику, читайте інші публікації в розділі Grammar!

A Grammatical Analysis for Children

The word like serves as seven of the parts of speech. The only function it doesn’t serve?  It isn’t a pronoun. But it does cover the other seven.

Like as a Verb

If your children ask about the correct meaning of like, point out that it serves as a verb, all by itself. Your children can say, “I like waffles” or “I would like another serving.”

Like as a Preposition

Point out that it also serves as a preposition and in that capacity hooks nouns to sentences. Your children can say, “He runs like the wind.”

Indeed, go ahead and point out that to be can join like if they truly want to show what something or somebody was like.

Thus the commercial “I want to be like Mike” has its grammar in order.

So does “He was like a father to me.”

But virtually everyone addicted to the like word uses it to show not what something is like but what something actually is. They use it to show identity (is), not similarity (like): He’s like tall. Well, is he or isn’t he?

Like as a Noun

You can also point out that like serves as a noun, as in likes and dislikes.

Like as an Adjective

The word spans almost all parts of speech and can serve as an adjective (she mastered lacrosse, field hockey, and like sports).

Like as an Adverb

Informally, like can serve as an adverb (the tree is more like 100 than 50 feet).

Like as a Conjunction

Here we stir up a hornet’s nest. According to some sources, the word like can also act as a subordinating conjunction.

Charles Darwin wrote in 1866: “Unfortunately few have observed like you have done.” New Fowler, p. 458.

Consider the words of Random House:

Like as a conjunction meaning “as, in the same way as” (Many shoppers study the food ads like brokers study market reports) or “as if” (It looks like it will rain) has been used for nearly 500 years and by many distinguished literary and intellectual figures. Since the mid-19th century there have been objections, often vehement, to these uses. Nevertheless, such uses are almost universal today in all but the most formal speech and writing. In extremely careful speech and in much formal writing, as, as if, and as though are more commonly used than like: The commanding general accepted full responsibility for the incident, as any professional soldier would. Many of the Greenwich Village bohemians lived as if (or as though) there were no tomorrow. Random House, p. 1114.

Other sources fervently disagree with this loose approach. Mr. Fowler himself minced no words:

Every illiterate person uses this construction daily . . . . New Fowler, p. 458.

The Oxford English Dictionary notes that examples of the use of like as a conjunction do appear in the works of “many recent writers of standing” but also points out that such use is “generally condemned as vulgar or slovenly . . . .” Quoted in New Fowler, p. 458.

Click page 2 below ….

Like as a Conjunction: Four Uses

New Fowler examined the works of leading writers in England, America, and other countries, and identified four situations where they use like as a conjunction:

1. The If you knew Susie Exception: Repeat the Verb

In the subordinate clause, writers often repeat the verb appearing in the main clause. They introduce the subordinate clause with like:

I need a new car like I need a hole in the head. —E. Good, 2001.

If you knew Susie like I know Susie . . . .

New Fowler’s Comment: “[This construction] must surely escape further censure or reproach.”

The following examples and comments appear in New Fowler, p. 458.

2. To Replace As If or As Though

It looks like it’s still a fox. —New Yorker, 1986.

3. The Like I said Exception

Substitutes for as in “fixed, somewhat jocular, phrases of saying and telling . . . .”

Like you say, you’re a dead woman. —M. Wesley, 1983.

4. To Make Comparisons

Used in the same way as “in the manner (that)” or “in the way (that).”

How was I to know she’d turn out like she did? —C. Burns, 1985.

As a budding grammarian, you should know of this battle. At Bubba’s you can easily get away with like as a conjunction. But in formal settings—the faculty lounge, scholarly writing (and talking), your master’s thesis—you should use the traditional conjunctions as, as if, and as though. In the words of New Fowler:

It would appear that in many kinds of written and spoken English like as a conjunction is struggling towards acceptable standard or neutral ground. It is not there yet. But the distributional patterns suggest that the long-standing resistance to this omnipresent little word is beginning to crumble. New Fowler, p. 459.

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