female coworkers talking

A: I'm tired. I want some coffee. Tina, would you like to go to the coffee shop with me?

B: Sure. I'd like a snack.

Want / Would Like

Want / Would Like + Noun

  • I want breakfast.
  • He would like some coffee.
  • She wants a new violin.
  • 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.
  • I want to do yoga.

Positive Sentences

I
You
We
They

want

wanted

to eat lunch.

a new car.

to play hockey.

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 

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.

I want to go home now. (normal)

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

Would like is very popular for making offers:

Would you like some coffee?

Would you like some water?

Would you like something to eat?


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Exercise

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