A1 - Would you like…? I'd like…

Would you like some cake?

Would you like…?

We use Would you like…? To offer something or to invite somebody to do something. Would you like…? = ‘Do you want…?’

Would you like some cake? (= Do you want some cake?) Would you like some coffee? Would you like to go to the cinema? (= Do you want to go to the cinema?) Where would you like to go?

I’d like

We use I’d like (=I would like) to talk about something that we want or something that we want to do.

I’d like some water, please. (=I want some water.) I’d like more information about this product. I’d like to go to the zoo. (=I want o go to the zoo.) I’d like to have a lemonade.

Like

We use like + things or people to say that we think these things or people are nice or good.

I like coffee. (=I think coffee is good.) I like John. (=I think John is nice.) We use like + -ing verb to say that we enjoy doing something.

I like dancing. (=I enjoy dancing.) I like going to the cinema. (=I enjoy going to the cinema.) We use do in questions.

Do you like coffee? Do you like going to the cinema?

like vs would like

Compare the following sentences:

I like tea. (=I think tea is good.) I’d like some tea. (=I want some tea.) Do you like tea? (=Do you think tea is good?) Would you like some tea? (=Do you want some tea?) We use like + -ing verb and would like + to + infinitive. Compare:

I like going to the cinema. (=I enjoy going to the cinema.) I’d like to go to the cinema. (=I want to go to the cinema.) Do you like going to the cinema? (=Do you enjoy going to the cinema?) Would you like to go to the cinema? (=Do you want to go to the cinema?)