friends talking

A: I'm excited. I want to watch the race this afternoon. Joe, would you like to go to the cafe with me?

B: Sure. I'd like a coffee.

Want / Would Like

Want / Would Like + Noun

  • want breakfast.
  • He would like some coffee.
  • She wants  new headlights.
  • I'd like a salad, please.

Want / Would Like + To + Base Verb

  • He would like to buy a new car.
  • She'd like to take a holiday.
  • We want to have a party.
  • want to speak to the manager.

Positive Sentences

I
You
We
They

want

wanted

to eat lunch.

a new car.

to sell my car.

some water. 

He
She
It

wants

wanted

I
You
He
She
It
We
They

would like

to eat lunch.

a new car.

to play hockey.

some water. 

Negative Sentences

I
You
We
They

do not / don't

did not / didn't

want*

to eat lunch.

a new car.

to play hockey.

some water. 

He
She
It

does not / doesn't want

did not / didn't

Would like is not used in negative sentences for this meaning.

Yes / No Questions

Do

Did

I
you
we
they

want

to eat lunch?

a new car?

to play hockey?

some water?

Does

Did

he
she
it

Would

I
you
he
she
it
we
they

like

to eat lunch?

a new car?

to play hockey?

some water?

Short Answers

  • Do you want some water?
    • Yes, I do.
    • No, I don't.
  • Does she want a new car?
    • Yes, she does.
    • No, she doesn't.
  • Did you want to eat lunch?
    • Yes, I did.
    • No, I didn't.
  • Would you like to play hockey?
    • Yes, I would.
    • No, I wouldn't.

Wh Questions

Where

When

Why

What time

...

do

did

I
you
we
they

want

to go jogging?

does

did

he
she
it

Where

When

Why

What time

...

would

I
you
he
she
it
we
they

like

to go jogging?


Use

Want and would like have the same meaning, but different grammar. Would like is more polite than want.

mother and daughter

I want to go home now. (normal)

boss and employee

I would like to go home now. (more polite)

Would like is very popular for making offers:

barista

Would you like some coffee?

water

Would you like some water?

bar

Would you like something to eat?


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