Hello English learners! Today, we’re going to learn about a very useful skill in English: talking about preferences. Knowing how to express what you like and dislike is essential for everyday conversations. Whether you’re chatting with friends, ordering food, or making plans, you’ll need to know how to share your preferences. This lesson is perfect for A2 level learners who want to improve their spoken English practice and build confidence in expressing themselves.

Why is Talking About Preferences Important?

Imagine you are with a friend and they ask, “Do you want to watch a movie?” To answer, you need to express your preference! Talking about preferences allows you to:

• Share your likes and dislikes: Let people know what you enjoy and what you don’t.
• Make decisions: When choosing between options, you can say what you prefer.
• Start conversations: Asking about preferences is a great way to get to know someone and start a conversation.
• Express yourself clearly: Avoid misunderstandings by clearly stating what you want or prefer.
• Improve your fluency: Practicing these phrases will make your spoken English sound more natural.

In short, learning to talk about preferences is a key part of English for everyday use. Let’s learn some easy ways to do it!

Basic Phrases for Expressing Preferences

Let’s start with some simple and common phrases you can use to talk about what you like and dislike. These are basic English phrases that are easy to remember and use.

Phrases to Say You Like Something

Here are some ways to express that you like something:

• I like…: This is the most basic and common way to express liking something.
  Example: I like coffee in the morning.
  Example: I like playing video games.
• I love…: Use “love” when you like something very much.
  Example: I love chocolate ice cream!
  Example: I love listening to music when I relax.
• I enjoy…: “Enjoy” is a bit more formal than “like” or “love”, but still very common.
  Example: I enjoy reading books in my free time.
  Example: I enjoy walking in the park.
• I’m interested in…: Use this to say you find something interesting and like to learn more about it or do it.
  Example: I’m interested in learning about history.
  Example: I’m interested in playing the guitar.
• I’m keen on…: This is a slightly more informal way to say you like something, especially in British English.
  Example: I’m keen on going to the beach this weekend.
  Example: I’m keen on trying new restaurants.

Phrases to Say You Dislike Something

Now, let’s learn how to express that you don’t like something:

• I don’t like…: This is the basic way to say you dislike something.
  Example: I don’t like spicy food very much.
  Example: I don’t like waking up early.
• I dislike…: “Dislike” is a bit stronger and more formal than “don’t like”.
  Example: I dislike being late for appointments.
  Example: I dislike rainy weather.
• I hate…: “Hate” is a very strong word to express strong dislike. Use it carefully!
  Example: I hate getting stuck in traffic.
  Example: I hate when people are rude.
• I’m not interested in…: Use this to say you are not interested in something.
  Example: I’m not interested in watching horror movies.
  Example: I’m not interested in going to the gym.
• I can’t stand…: This phrase means you really, really dislike something and find it very annoying.
  Example: I can’t stand noisy restaurants.
  Example: I can’t stand people who talk loudly on their phones in public.

Asking About Preferences

It’s also important to know how to ask about someone else’s preferences. Here are some useful questions:

• Do you like…?: A simple question to ask if someone likes something in general.
  Example: Do you like pizza?
  Example: Do you like going to the cinema?
• What do you like…?: Use this to ask for more specific preferences.
  Example: What do you like to do in your free time?
  Example: What do you like to eat for breakfast?
• What’s your favorite…?: Use this to ask about someone’s absolute favorite thing in a category.
  Example: What’s your favorite color?
  Example: What’s your favorite type of music?
• Would you like…?: Use this to offer something and ask about preference at the same time.
  Example: Would you like a cup of tea?
  Example: Would you like to go for a walk?
• Do you prefer…?: Use this to ask about preference between two or more options.
  Example: Do you prefer coffee or tea?
  Example: Do you prefer watching movies at home or in the cinema?

Let’s Practice!

Now it’s time to practice what you’ve learned! Try to complete the sentences below with the correct phrases to express preferences.

Fill in the Blanks

1. I ___________ (very much like) playing football on weekends.
2. She ___________ (not like) coffee, she prefers tea.
3. They ___________ (enjoy) going to concerts.
4. He ___________ (strongly dislike) being interrupted when he’s working.
5. _________ you ___________ (like) Italian food?
6. _________ your ___________ (favorite) movie genre?
7. _________ you ___________ (prefer) summer or winter?

Answers

1. I love playing football on weekends.
2. She doesn’t like coffee, she prefers tea.
3. They enjoy going to concerts.
4. He hates being interrupted when he’s working.
5. Do you like Italian food?
6. What’s your favorite movie genre?
7. Do you prefer summer or winter?

More Practice: Talking with a Partner

Now, try asking and answering questions about preferences with a friend or language partner. Here are some questions to get you started:

• What kind of music do you like?
• Do you prefer watching movies at home or going to the cinema?
• What’s your favorite food?
• Do you enjoy reading books? What kind of books do you like?
• Are you interested in learning a new language? Which one?
• What do you dislike doing on weekends?
• Is there anything you hate doing?

Remember to use the phrases we learned today to express your likes and dislikes clearly. The more you practice, the more natural it will become!

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve learned some essential phrases for talking about preferences in English. This is a fundamental skill for English conversation starters and everyday communication. Keep practicing these phrases, and you’ll become more confident in expressing yourself and understanding others. Remember, consistent spoken English practice is key to improving your fluency. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – that’s how we learn!

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