Hi! It’s konkaz (@konkazuk) here.
With this time’s blog post, we are going to have a look at the ways to express our “liking”.
At the end of the day, whatever the subject is, the content of daily conversation between friends is mostly about our “liking”, isn’t it?
Therefore, let’s get those expressions nailed with the practice of “soliloquy in English” so that they will come out naturally from our mouth.
The expressions of “liking”
Some example-sentences are featured in each section.
As you proceed, please be sure to read them aloud as well as trying to create your own ones for your benefit.
＊ like ＊
“Like” is the-most-generally-used-one to express our “liking” with no doubt.
Nowadays, English language is included in the elementally school’s learning curriculum in Japan, the word might be familiar to even young pupils.
However, for those who are tentative to let your knowledge go out of your mouth, it’s always best to start with something very easy. And then gradually develop it as you move on…
Anyway, here are some examples.
I like it.
I like orange juice.
I really like your jacket.
I like dogs.
I do like the design.
I like that!
If you would like to express your liking which is about “doing something”, then put the “gerund form” (a noun that is derived from a verb) of a verb after “like”.
I like shopping.
I like playing table tennis.
I like playing the guitar.
＊ love ＊
“love” is also the word for expressing your liking which you hear from people quite regularly.
Because, in Japan, the word “love” is mainly used for a person, therefore some people might not feel comfortable to use it casually for anything, but you will get used to it eventually.
It’s just the matter of the degree of your “liking”, so if you like something very much, then simply use the word “love”.
I love her voice.
I love Korean food.
I love shopping.
I love their new album.
Likewise, the word “love” is followed by the gerund form of a verb just like we have done with “like”.
I love watching movies.
I love walking through the park on a sunny day.
＊ (have a) liking for ＊
Despite the fact that we have been using the word “liking” up to this point, the expression is arguably least known among Japanese English-learners.
It is just a gerund form of a verb “like” and can be treated just the same as “taste”, “fondness” or “preference”.
I have a liking for rockabilly music.
My friend’s liking for horror movies is making them feel worried.
My father showed his liking for German beer.
＊ be into ＊
“be into” is also an expression which is popularly used, and it really matches up well with the Japanese expression “mu-cyuu” which basically means “inside the dream”.
The expression is used with high frequency, so let’s try to use it as opportunities arise and get used to it. Its degree of “liking” could be as high as “love”.
I’m into playing volleyball now.
I’m really into this project.
I’m really into African music.
I’m really into writing blog post.
As you can see, “really” is often used with the expression.
You can also try your own version with what you are into…
＊ be mad/crazy about ＊
Again, this expression is used when the degree of your “liking” for something is extremely high.
We often find Japanese translation of “be mad/crazy about” as “like almost/nearly going crazy”, but I personally think these words “almost/nearly” are not necessary…
My son is crazy about playing Minecraft.
I’m mad about collecting jazz records.
I’m crazy for her.
My dog was crazy about sniffing female dog’s butt.
＊ fancy / have a fancy for ＊
“fancy” is basically the same as “like” or “liking” and is often used when it comes to expressing people’s personal liking…
Do I really fancy going out tonight?
I fancy her.
I have a fancy for red wine.
I have a fancy for country blues records.
Ah! Ah! Ah! Are you reading them aloud???
＊ favourite ＊
Again, this is the expression of the same kind but with the form of adjective or noun.
My favourite subject was art and science.
My favourite colour is blue.
＊ be fond of ＊
Another way to express your liking. It is a bit tricky to explain the difference between “like” and “be fond of”, but “be fond of “ is tend to be used when you have a much stronger (and long lasting) feeling over something than just “like”.
My grandfather is fond of his old stamps.
I am fond of chocolate.
My cousin is fond of fishing.
＊ prefer ＊
The word is used when you express your liking over two things (or two people).
To “prefer A to B “ = to “like A more than B”
Sometimes what you are going to say has got a slightly long “A part”, and you forget that you are dealing with the form of “prefer A to B” in a sentence, and as a result, we end up using “than” instead of using “to” inadvertently before entering “B part”. (It has happened to me as well.) So, we better watch out!
My son prefers outdoor sports to indoor ones.
I prefer abstract paintings to figurative ones.
I prefer going out to have some fun to watching movies at home.
I prefer rice to bread.
Well, this is it for exploring the expressions of “liking”.
These 9 expressions above are frequently used during the daily conversation, so it is good to include in the practice of “soliloquy” and nail them as you go.
Anyway, thanks for reading the till the end, and hope it was useful.
konkaz
👉 * Japanese version of this blog post