In the English Vocabulary Profile at A1:
LIKE = to enjoy something or feel that someone or something is pleasant
WANT = to hope to have or do something, or to wish for something
LIKE AND WANT are transitive verbs (take objects).
- I like football.
- I want money.
However, they can be followed by verbs. Let’s look at the like and want verb pattern. They are different because ‘like’ can be followed by to-infinitive or Verb-ing. ‘want’ is only followed by the to-infinitive. For example:
- “I like using the internet” or “I like to use the internet.” have a similar meaning.
- “I want to use the internet.” is correct, but “I want
usingthe internet.” is wrong.
Also, note the reduced negative clause:
‘I don’t want to‘ is the 7th most frequent 5-word Ngram in English. (iWeb 133,689) It is also the most common Ngram with a lexical verb.
Here’s a full sentence example:
I don’t want to be here.
Especially, in British English, the choice between using a to-infinitive or an -ing form after certain verbs can convey subtle differences in meaning. Let’s break down the distinction using the example “like to use” vs. “like using”:
- Like to Use: When you say “like to use,” you are emphasizing a preference or habit. This structure suggests that the subject (the person or thing doing the action) prefers using something, and it’s a regular or habitual action. For example, “I like to use my laptop for work” implies that using the laptop is a common or preferred way of working. They don’t love writing so much, but if they have to write, then they prefer to use the laptop to do it.
- Like Using: On the other hand, “like using” places more emphasis on the action itself and the experience of doing it. It indicates that the subject derives enjoyment or satisfaction from the act of using something. For instance, “I like using my laptop for work” suggests that the act of using the laptop is enjoyable or satisfying.
In summary, the choice between a to-infinitive and an -ing form after a verb like “like” can reflect whether you want to emphasize:
- To-infinitive: The preference, habit, or result of the action.
- -Ing form: The action itself and the experience or enjoyment derived from it.
Both forms are correct, but they subtly shape the nuance of your statement.
In the English Grammar Profile, A1 point 2 in the category of VERBS/patterns is defined:
‘like’ followed either by a ‘to’-infinitive or an ‘-ing’ form, with no change in meaning
A1 point 6 in VERBS/patterns is defined as:
limited range of verbs followed by a ‘to’- infinitive.
iWeb search for
like_V _VVG
1 LIKE USING 10657
2 LIKE WORKING 5316
3 LIKE PLAYING 4560
4 LIKE SEEING 4383
5 LIKE GOING 4133
6 LIKE GETTING 3949
7 LIKE MAKING 3439
8 LIKE TAKING 2693
9 LIKE WATCHING 2609
10 LIKE READING 2429
like|want to _VVI
1 WANT TO MAKE 269952
PELIC STUDENT EXAMPLES:
I strongly recommend finding a conversation partner if you want to make your foreign language just like your native language!
Chinese, Female, Level 4, writing class
*Note it is very hard to find this grammar, not ‘hidden’ under higher-level grammar.
2 WANT TO GET 237967
I want to get Japanese cosmetics because [these] they are better for my skin than American cosmetics.
Japanese, Female, Level 3, writing class
3 WANT TO KNOW 220209
4 WANT TO SEE 216622
5 WANT TO USE 191873
6 WANT TO GO 180546
7 LIKE TO SEE 167646
I like to see the movies in my free time.
Chinese male level 4 grammar class.
8 WANT TO TAKE 124269
9 WANT TO KEEP 101423
10 LIKE TO KNOW 87946 A2
What would you like to know?
11 WANT TO TRY 80336
12 WANT TO GIVE 78931
13 WANT TO ADD 71428
14 WANT TO LEARN 71362
15 WANT TO PLAY 63845
16 LIKE TO USE 63631
17 WANT TO HEAR 61920
18 WANT TO WORK 61412
19 LIKE TO THANK 60830
20 WANT TO SAY 59560
21 WANT TO LOOK 56658
22 WANT TO CONSIDER 55306
23 WANT TO SHARE 55272
24 WANT TO BUY 54354
25 WANT TO CHANGE 54214
26 WANT TO START 52064
27 WANT TO SPEND 51406
28 WANT TO HELP 51243
29 LIKE TO THINK 50888
30 LIKE TO GET 50539
31 WANT TO FIND 49231
32 WANT TO PUT 48987
33 WANT TO CREATE 48913
34 WANT TO TALK 48687
35 WANT TO CHECK 47189
36 LIKE TO MAKE 44931
37 WANT TO THANK 40406
38 LIKE TO SHARE 38650
39 WANT TO LIVE 37828
40 WANT TO LEAVE 37277
41 LIKE TO ADD 36677
42 LIKE TO TAKE 36429
43 WANT TO STAY 36191
44 LIKE TO SAY 35646
45 WANT TO READ 35481
46 WANT TO SHOW 34317
47 WANT TO AVOID 34273
48 WANT TO MISS 33830
49 WANT TO PAY 33081
50 WANT TO RUN 32252
51 WANT TO BUILD 30945
52 WANT TO MOVE 30532
53 LIKE TO HEAR 28891
54 LIKE TO KEEP 28613
55 WANT TO COME 28058
56 WANT TO SAVE 27343
57 LIKE TO GO 26864
58 LIKE TO TRY 26709
59 WANT TO LOSE 25160
60 WANT TO BRING 24943
61 WANT TO TELL 24786
62 LIKE TO WORK 23753
63 WANT TO WATCH 23435
64 WANT TO ASK 23412
65 WANT TO BECOME 23283
66 WANT TO SELL 23099
67 WANT TO SEND 23016
68 WANT TO CONTINUE 22437
69 WANT TO EAT 22358
70 WANT TO FEEL 21844
71 LIKE TO LEARN 20954
72 WANT TO WRITE 20511
73 WANT TO SET 20344
74 LIKE TO GIVE 19876
75 WANT TO ACHIEVE 19717
76 WANT TO ENSURE 19349
77 WANT TO CALL 19294
78 LIKE TO PLAY 18978
79 WANT TO THINK 18690
80 WANT TO LET 18577
81 WANT TO STOP 18272
82 WANT TO INCLUDE 17579
83 LIKE TO CALL 17406
84 WANT TO JOIN 17203
85 WANT TO REMOVE 17203
86 WANT TO FOCUS 16361
87 WANT TO IMPROVE 15985
88 WANT TO VISIT 15649
89 LIKE TO ASK 15636
90 WANT TO WAIT 15522
91 LIKE TO FIND 15306
92 LIKE TO TALK 15272
93 WANT TO WEAR 15148
94 WANT TO TURN 15146
95 WANT TO WIN 15017
96 LIKE TO READ 14381
97 WANT TO EXPLORE 14152
98 WANT TO MEET 13475
99 LIKE TO HELP 13458
100 WANT TO PROVIDE 13380