Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 58 · B1

Verb + -ing or to ... 3 (like / would like etc.)

Like, love and hate take -ing or to for repeated actions, -ing for a situation that already exists; enjoy and mind take -ing; would like, would love and would prefer take to; would like to have done is a regret.

Start the lesson

14Steps · about 25 minutes

In this lesson

like, love, hate: -ing or toA4 screens of questions
would like, would love, would hate, would preferB3 screens of questions
would like to have doneC2 screens of questions

Point A of 3

like, love, hate: -ing or to

For repeated actions, either -ing or to ... works after like, love and hate.

Two refinements:

  1. Use -ing, not to, for a situation that already exists (or existed).
  2. I like doing something means I do it and enjoy it. I like to do something means I choose to do it, which is not the same as enjoying it.

Enjoy and mind only take -ing.

  • Do you like cooking for lots of people? Do you like to cook for lots of people?
  • Steph hates flying. Steph hates to fly.
  • I love meeting new people. I love to meet new people.
  • I don't like being kept waiting. I don't like to be kept waiting.
  • Kofi moved to Cardiff last year. He loves living there. (he lives there and enjoys it)
  • Do you like being a nurse? (you are one; do you like it?)
  • The warehouse I worked in was grim. I hated working there.
  • I like ironing. (I enjoy it; I am in a minority of one)
  • I don't enjoy it, but I like to check the tyres before a long drive. (I think it's sensible)
  • I enjoy ironing. (not I enjoy to iron)
  • I don't mind ironing. (not I don't mind to iron)

Point A · Exercise 58.1 · part 1 of 2

Write sentences about yourself. Do you like these things? Use like, don't like, love, hate, enjoy or don't mind.

  1. Example

    (flying)

    I don't like flying.

    Example answerI don't like flying.

  2. (playing cards)

  3. (being alone)

  4. (going to museums)

  5. (cooking)

Point A · Exercise 58.1 · part 2 of 2

Write sentences about yourself. Do you like these things? Use like, don't like, love, hate, enjoy or don't mind.

  1. (getting up early)

Point A · Exercise 58.2 · part 1 of 2

Make sentences with -ing or to ... . Sometimes either form is possible.

  1. Example

    Kofi moved to Cardiff last year. He's very happy there. (He / like / live / there)

    He likes living there.

    AnswerHe likes living there.

  2. Shazia trains guide dogs. It's her dream job. (She / like / train / dogs)

  3. Rob always has his binoculars and goes birdwatching every weekend. (He / like / watch / birds)

  4. I once had a job in a warehouse. It was a miserable place. (I / not / like / work / there)

  5. Ellie is studying law. She likes it. (She / like / study / law)

Point A · Exercise 58.2 · part 2 of 2

Make sentences with -ing or to ... . Sometimes either form is possible.

  1. Dean became a TV presenter, but he hates people staring at him in the street. (He / not / like / be / recognised)

  2. Hannah is very careful. She never takes chances. (She / not / like / take / risks)

  3. I'm a nervous traveller. (I / like / check / my bookings / twice)

Point B of 3

would like, would love, would hate, would prefer

Would like, would love and the rest are usually followed by to ....

Compare: I like playing darts or I like to play darts (in general) with I'd like to play darts tonight (I want to, today).

Would mind is followed by -ing.

  • I'd like to get away for a few days.
  • What would you like to do tonight?
  • I wouldn't like to go on a cruise on my own.
  • I'd love to meet your mum.
  • Would you prefer to set off now or after lunch?
  • I'd like to play darts tonight.
  • Would you mind shutting the gate, please? (not mind to shut)

Point B · Exercise 58.3 · part 1 of 3

Complete the sentences with a verb in the right form, -ing or to ... . In two of them either form is possible.

  1. Example

    It's fun to see new places. I enjoy travelling.

    AnswerIt's fun to see new places. I enjoy travelling.

  2. "Would you like down?" "No, thanks. I'll stand."

  3. The telly's very loud. Would you mind it down?

  4. How do you unwind? What do you like in your spare time?

  5. I hate rushing, so I like at the airport three hours before a flight.

Point B · Exercise 58.3 · part 2 of 3

Complete the sentences with a verb in the right form, -ing or to ... . In two of them either form is possible.

  1. I enjoy busy. I hate it when there's nothing to do.

  2. I would love to your party, but I'm working that night.

  3. I don't like on this estate. I'm going to move.

  4. Have you got a minute? I'd like to you about the rota.

Point B · Exercise 58.3 · part 3 of 3

Complete the sentences with a verb in the right form, -ing or to ... . In two of them either form is possible.

  1. If there's good news and bad news, I like the bad news first.

  2. Shall we go now, or would you prefer a bit?

  3. Dylan has to win at everything. He hates .

Point C of 3

would like to have done

I would like to have done something means I am sorry now that I did not, or could not, do it. The same pattern follows would love, would hate, would prefer.

  • Such a pity we missed Grandma's party. I would like to have been there.
  • We'd like to have gone to the coast, but the car was in the garage.
  • Poor Tony. I'd hate to have been in his shoes.
  • I'd love to have been at the wedding, but I was in hospital.

Point C · Exercise 58.4 · part 1 of 2

Write sentences with would ... to have (done), using the verb in brackets.

  1. Example

    What a pity I missed the leaving party. (like)

    I would like to have gone to the leaving party.

    AnswerI would like to have gone to the leaving party.

  2. It's a shame I missed the match on telly. (like)

  3. I'm glad I didn't lose my wedding ring. (hate)

  4. Shame I never met your grandad. (love)

  5. I'm glad I wasn't on my own. (not / like)

Point C · Exercise 58.4 · part 2 of 2

Write sentences with would ... to have (done), using the verb in brackets.

  1. We should have gone by train. (prefer)

Lesson 58 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: prefer and would ratherBack to the course

–Right

Each point

A. like, love, hate: -ing or to–Not checkedB. would like, would love, would hate, would prefer–Not checkedC. would like to have done–Not checked