Expressing Likes and Dislikes in English: Useful Phrases

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.

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.

• I really like this song.
• She really likes learning languages.

I love…

Use love when you like something very much.

• I love Greece, especially in the summer.
• He loves Italian food.

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.

• I enjoy watching old films.
• 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.

• Susan adores chocolate ice cream.
• 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.

• Sarah is crazy about French cuisine.
• 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.
• She’s mad about fashion.

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.
• I’m into photography at the moment.

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.

• I’m quite keen on cycling.
• He’s keen on modern architecture.

You can also say:

• I’m keen to try it.
• She’s keen to learn more.

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.
• He was very fond of his old teacher.

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.

• I’m partial to a slice of chocolate cake.
• 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.

• She’s a sucker for romantic comedies.
• 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.

• I live for having a lie-in at weekends.
• She lives for summer evenings by the sea.

Use it carefully. It is expressive, not formal.

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.

• He prefers rock to pop music.
• She prefers reading to watching television.

I’d rather…

Use I’d rather when choosing between options.

• I’d rather stay at home tonight.
• 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.

• I’d prefer to sit near the window.
• 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.
• He doesn’t like waiting in queues.

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.
• Many students dislike speaking in front of a large group.

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.

• We aren’t very keen on cooking.
• 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.

• I’m not very fond of gardening.
• 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.
• Camping is not my thing, but I understand why people enjoy it.

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.
• She’s not a big fan of long meetings.

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.
• He hates getting up early.
• I hate it when people are rude to waiters.

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.

Much safer. Fewer enemies.

I can’t stand…

If you can’t stand something, you strongly dislike it.

• I can’t stand loud music in restaurants.
• He can’t stand being criticised.

This is very common in everyday English.

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 can’t bear the smell of strong perfume.

I detest…

Detest means hate very much. It is strong and slightly formal.

• I detest gloomy weather.
• He detests dishonesty.

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.
• He despised the way they treated their employees.

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.

• I have no time for rude behaviour.
• 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.
• She didn’t have a good word to say about the film.

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?
• The noise from the street really gets on my nerves.

It drives me crazy

If something drives you crazy, it annoys you very much.

• Ads in my inbox drive me crazy.
• The slow internet connection is driving 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.
• She can’t put up with his rude comments.

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.
• He didn’t take to living abroad at first, but later he loved it.

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.
• I don’t mind walking if the weather is nice.

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 mind which film we watch. 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.
• We can eat out or cook at home. I don’t feel strongly either way.

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.
• You can choose the restaurant. It makes no difference to me.

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.

Compare:

Too direct:

• I don’t care.

Softer:

• I don’t mind.
• I’m happy either way.
• I don’t feel strongly either way.

In polite English, I don’t mind is usually safer.

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.

Mini Dialogues

Dialogue 1: Talking about hobbies

A: Are you into sport?

B: I’m quite keen on cycling, but I’m not a big fan of team sports.

A: Really? I’m mad about basketball.

B: I don’t mind watching it, but playing it is definitely not my thing.

Dialogue 2: Choosing a film

A: Shall we watch a horror film?

B: I’d rather not. I can’t stand horror films.

A: What about a comedy?

B: Perfect. I’m a sucker for a good comedy.

Dialogue 3: Talking about food

A: Do you like seafood?

B: I’m not very keen on it, to be honest.

A: What kind of food do you like?

B: I’m partial to Italian food, especially homemade pasta.

Common Mistakes When Expressing Likes and Dislikes in English

1. Using the wrong verb form after “enjoy”

Incorrect:

• I enjoy to read novels.

Correct:

• I enjoy reading novels.

2. Saying “I very like”

Incorrect:

• I very like this song.

Correct:

• I really like this song.

I like this song very much.

3. Confusing “prefer” structures

Incorrect:

• I prefer tea than coffee.

Correct:

• I prefer tea to coffee.
• I’d rather have tea than coffee.

4. Using “I don’t care” too directly

Too direct:

• I don’t care where we go.

Better:

• I don’t mind where we go.
• I’m happy either way.

5. Overusing “hate”

Very strong:

• I hate classical music.

Softer:

• I’m not really into classical music.
• Classical music isn’t really my thing.

In real conversation, softer expressions often sound more polite and mature.

Do the quiz to perfect your knowledge:

Final Thoughts

Learning different ways of expressing likes and dislikes in English will help you sound more natural, precise and confident. Instead of always saying I like it or I don’t like it, you can choose phrases that show exactly how you feel.

You can say you are keen on something, mad about it, a sucker for it, or not a big fan of it. You can also soften your opinions with polite phrases such as It’s not really my thing or I don’t feel strongly either way.

Good English is not only about grammar. It is also about choosing the right expression for the right situation — and preferably not telling your host you detest their cooking. Some truths are best left unsaid.

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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FAQ 

What are common ways to express likes in English?

Common ways to express likes include I like, I really like, I love, I enjoy, I’m keen on, I’m fond of, I’m into and I’m a big fan of.

How can I express dislike politely in English?

You can say I’m not very keen on it, It’s not really my thing, I’m not a big fan of it or I don’t really like it. These are softer than I hate it.

What is the difference between “I don’t mind” and “I don’t care”?

I don’t mind usually means something is acceptable to you. I don’t care can sound rude or dismissive, so it is safer to say I don’t mind or I’m happy either way in polite conversation.

What phrases can I use to talk about preferences?

You can use I prefer A to B, I’d rather, I’d prefer to, I’m more interested in, and I tend to prefer.

Are these phrases useful for Cambridge exams?

Yes. Phrases for likes, dislikes and preferences are very useful in B2 First and C1 Advanced, especially in the speaking paper, reviews, articles and opinion-based writing tasks.