Hello English learners! In this lesson, you will learn useful words and phrases for expressing likes and dislikes in English. You will also see how strong each expression is, whether it is formal or informal, and how to use it naturally in conversation and writing.
When we talk about our hobbies, food, films, books, people, places or everyday activities, we often need to express what we like and dislike. Of course, we can simply say I like it or I don’t like it, but English gives us many more natural and expressive ways to show our preferences.
This vocabulary is especially useful for speaking exams, everyday conversations, opinion essays, reviews and discussions.
expressing likes and dislikes in English
Simple Ways to Say You Like Something
Let’s start with the most common and neutral expressions.
I like…
Use like to talk about something you enjoy or have a positive opinion of.
- I like crime novels.
- She likes theatre and goes to new performances quite often.
This is the safest and most common expression.
I really like…
Use really like when your feeling is stronger.
- She really likes learning languages.
I love…
Use love when you like something very much.
- I love Greece, especially in the summer.
In everyday English, love is very common and does not always mean romantic love.
I enjoy…
Use enjoy to talk about activities, experiences and things that give you pleasure.
- We enjoyed our holiday in Scotland.
Remember: after enjoy, we normally use the -ing form.
Correct: I enjoy cooking.
Incorrect: I enjoy to cook.
Strong Ways to Say You Like Something
These expressions show stronger enthusiasm.
I adore…
Adore means like or love very much.
- She absolutely adores her grandchildren.
This word is warm and emotional.
I’m crazy about…
This means you like something very much. It is informal and enthusiastic.
- My brother is crazy about football.
I’m mad about…
This has a similar meaning to crazy about. It is also informal.
- He’s mad about Formula 1.
I’m really into…
If you are into something, you are interested in it and enjoy it. This is very common in spoken English.
- Mark is really into basketball.
This phrase is useful for hobbies and interests.
I’m keen on…
Keen on means interested in or fond of something. It is very common in British English.
- He’s keen on modern architecture.
You can also say:
- I’m keen to try it.
Use keen on + noun / -ing:
Correct: I’m keen on swimming.
I’m fond of…
Fond of means that you like something or someone in a warm, gentle way.
- I’m very fond of crime novels.
This phrase is often used for people, memories, places, books, music and familiar things.
I’m partial to…
I’m partial to means you quite like something, especially food, drink or enjoyable activities. It often sounds slightly humorous or old-fashioned in a charming way.
- She’s partial to a cup of strong coffee in the morning.
This is a lovely phrase, but learners should know it is not as neutral as I like.
I’m a sucker for…
If you are a sucker for something, you like it very much and find it hard to resist.
- He’s a sucker for old black-and-white films.
This phrase is informal and often humorous.
I live for…
This is a very strong and informal expression. It means something gives you great pleasure.
- She lives for summer evenings by the sea.
Use it carefully. It is expressive, not formal.
expressing likes and dislikes in English
Talking about Preferences
Sometimes we do not simply like something; we like it more than something else.
I prefer A to B
Use prefer A to B when you like one thing more than another.
- She prefers reading to watching television.
I’d rather…
Use I’d rather when choosing between options.
- We’d rather travel by train than by bus.
I’d prefer to…
This is a slightly more polite or formal way to express preference.
- We’d prefer to book a table in advance.
Simple Ways to Say You Don’t Like Something
Now let’s look at useful phrases for expressing dislikes in English.
I don’t like…
This is the most common and neutral way to express dislike.
- She doesn’t like camping.
To sound softer and more polite, say:
- I don’t really like…
- I’m not a big fan of…
- It’s not really my thing.
I dislike…
Dislike is more formal than don’t like.
- He dislikes people arriving late.
After dislike, we normally use a noun or the -ing form.
Correct: He dislikes waiting.
I’m not keen on…
This is a polite and common way to say you do not like something very much.
- She isn’t keen on cold weather.
This is softer than I hate.
I’m not very fond of…
This is another polite way to express mild dislike.
- He isn’t very fond of crowded places.
It’s not my thing
This is very natural in spoken English. It means something does not suit your taste or interests.
- Football is definitely not my thing.
This is polite and informal.
I’m not a big fan of…
This is a useful, natural expression for mild dislike.
- I’m not a big fan of reality TV.
This sounds much more polite than saying I hate it.
Strong Ways to Say You Don’t Like Something
These expressions are stronger and should be used carefully.
I hate…
Hate is a strong word. Use it when your dislike is intense.
- I hate the taste of this cheese.
In polite conversation, it is often better to use a softer expression.
Instead of: I hate your idea.
Say: I’m not sure that idea would work.
I can’t stand…
If you can’t stand something, you strongly dislike it.
- I can’t stand loud music in restaurants.
I can’t bear…
Can’t bear is similar to can’t stand, but it can sound a little more emotional.
- They can’t bear having pets in the house.
I detest…
Detest means hate very much. It is strong and slightly formal.
- I detest gloomy weather.
I despise…
Despise is even stronger. It means you strongly dislike someone or something and have no respect for them.
- My husband despises people who lie.
Be careful with this word because it is very strong.
I have no time for…
This means you strongly disapprove of something or do not respect it.
- She has no time for people who complain but never help.
This is more natural than I have no use for in many modern contexts.
I don’t have a good word to say about…
This means you strongly dislike someone or something and cannot say anything positive about them.
- I don’t have a good word to say about the service in that restaurant.
This is informal and quite strong.
Informal Expressions for Annoyance
Sometimes we dislike something because it annoys us.
It gets on my nerves
If something gets on your nerves, it annoys you.
- This music is getting on my nerves. Could you turn it down?
It drives me crazy
If something drives you crazy, it annoys you very much.
- Ads in my inbox drive me crazy.
This is informal and common in conversation.
I can’t put up with…
This means you cannot tolerate something.
- I can’t put up with this noise any longer.
I didn’t take to…
This means you did not like something at first or did not feel comfortable with it.
- She didn’t take to her new job immediately.
You may also hear I didn’t cotton to…, especially in some varieties of English, but it sounds more old-fashioned or regional. For most learners, I didn’t take to… is safer.
Saying Something Is OK or Neutral
Sometimes you neither like nor dislike something. These expressions help you sound natural.
I don’t mind…
Use I don’t mind when something is acceptable to you.
- I don’t mind doing the dishes after dinner.
Be careful: I don’t mind does not mean I don’t care in a rude way. It usually means something is fine for you.
It’s all the same to me
This means either option is acceptable.
- We can go today or tomorrow. It’s all the same to me.
I don’t feel strongly either way
This is useful when you have no strong opinion.
- I don’t feel strongly either way about the plan.
This is polite and useful in discussions.
I’m easy
In British English, I’m easy can mean “I don’t mind; I’m happy with any option”.
- “Shall we meet at six or seven?”
“I’m easy.”
This is informal and conversational.
It makes no difference to me
This means the result is the same for you.
- It makes no difference to me whether we travel by bus or train.
Important Note: “I don’t care”
Be careful with I don’t care.
It can mean: I have no preference.
- I don’t care whether we watch a comedy or a drama.
However, it can also sound rude, cold or dismissive.
In polite English, I don’t mind is usually safer.
expressing likes and dislikes in English
Useful Phrases for Speaking Exams
In B2 First and C1 Advanced speaking exams, you often need to talk about preferences, opinions and personal experiences. These phrases can help you sound more natural.
Talking about things you like
- I’m really into photography.
- I’ve always been fond of old films.
- I’m quite keen on outdoor activities.
- I’m a big fan of historical novels.
- I absolutely love travelling by train.
- I’m particularly interested in psychology.
Talking about things you dislike
- I’m not very keen on crowded places.
- I’m not a big fan of horror films.
- It’s not really my thing.
- I can’t stand people being late.
- I find reality TV rather annoying.
- I’m not particularly interested in fashion.
Talking about neutral preferences
- I don’t mind either option.
- I’m happy either way.
- It’s all the same to me.
- I don’t feel strongly either way.
- I don’t really have a preference.
Quiz
Related posts:
- Expressing Opinions and Arguments in English
- How to Use Would Rather
- Expressing Preference in English
- Prefer, Would Rather, Had Better
- Suggestions in English
- Functional Language for Speaking Exams
- B2 First Exam Tips: 10 Common FCE Mistakes to Avoid
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