LIKE: as a verb and as a preposition

LIKE as a VERB:

« like to » and « like + verb-ing » with repeated, regular actions:

« like » can be followed by either an infinitive or by either the -ing form:
by an infinitive: I like to practice sport.
by the -ing form: I like running.

We can use these two forms « like to » / « like + verb-ing ».
Often, they have the same meaning.
I like flying or I like to fly.
I like living in London or I like to live in London.
Do you like getting up at 6? or Do you like to get up at 6?

But sometimes, there’s a difference between theses two forms:

A/ « -ing » if we talk about a situation that already exists:

Do you like living in London? (you’re living in London, do you enjoy it?)
I like working in this company. (I work in this company, and I enjoy it).
I like being a student. (I’m a student, I enjoy it.)

« like to » even if you talk about a regular action:
I like to visit the doctor twice a year.
I like to run every saturday.

B/ « I like doing something » or « I like to do something »: differences.

Is it a good idea and pleasant to do?
Yes: « like doing ». No? « Like to do »
« I like doing »: it’s a good idea, I enjoy it, it’s pleasant to do.
I like living in London: I enjoy it.
I like studying at school: I enjoy it.
I like playing soccer.
« I like doing »: very good idea, I enjoy it.

« I like to do »: it’s a good idea, but I don’t enjoy it, it’s not pleasant to do.
I like to clean my room: I don’t enjoy it, it’s not my favorite activity, but it’s a good idea.
I like to visit the doctor.
« I like to do »: I don’t really enjoy it. (but it’s a good idea).

REMEMBER:
I like running (I enjoy it).
I like to clean my room (good idea, but I don’t enjoy it).

WOULD LIKE : I would like to …

« I would like to do something »:

we express a wish, or we want to be polite (offers, requests).
I would like to visit New York. I would like to see you again.
Would you like to join us? Would you like to lunch with us?

I would like to have done something: I didn’t do it, and now, I regret.

My grand-father died last week. I would like to have visited him before.
My best friend moved to Australia. I would like to have seen him before.
I can’t go to NY this summer. I would like to have saved money.

« Like » vs « would like »: differences.

I like visiting museums. (=> general situation, I like it, I enjoy it)
I would like to visit a museum. (=> now, today, I want to visit a museum).

LIKE as a PREPOSITION :

Like after « be«  and « look« :

=> when we talk about appearance, and ask for descriptions.
Be like: we ask for and we give a general description.
What is Bradley like?
He is funny, nice and helpful. He is like a friend.

Like ~ Look like:

=> we ask for and we give an opinion about appearance.
What does Sophie look like?
She is tall and pretty. She looks like Angelina, your teacher.

« Like » = « similar », « the same as … « 

Cats are like small tigers.
I go to school by bus like you.
It’s not a garden! It’s like a parc.
For my holidays, I want to be quiet, like visiting a farm.

« Like » = « typical »:

It is just like her to be late.
=> It’s typically her to be late.

Like = « for example »:

I want to do something for you, like teaching you english.

« Like » = « such as » (= « for example »):

I enjoy sports, such as playing tennis , running and swimming.

« Like » + noun, pronoun, « -ing » form:

Like + a noun:

like a castle, like a book,
It’s like a parc. Your house is like a castle.

Like + a pronoun:

like me/you, like this/that, …
He’s like me. My bike is like this one.

Like + « -ing » form:

like doing something …
It’s like playing tennis.

Adverbs + Like: quite like, rather like:

It’s quite like the sixties.
It’s rather like the prehistoric era.

SOMETIMES, we can be used « as »:

« as » = when we express the same way, the same condition, the same manner.
Do it as you wish.

As usual, As always:

As usual, you’re late!
As always, you complain!

REMEMBER: LIKE ans AS: Differences : 

We use « LIKE » when we do a comparison:

Your boy looks like a young man.
You cook like a grand mother.
I’ve never work with somebody like him!

We used « AS » when we express the same way, manner, condition:

Do it as he showed you.
She’s dressed up as a princess.
Used a knife as a screwdriver and open your computer.
He works as a postman.

ENGLISH LET and LIKE: