How to Talk About Things You Like
Talking about things you like sounds like the easiest topic in the world — until you notice that most learners only ever use three words for it: *like*, *love*, and *nice*. This guide gives you the full toolkit: the grammar, the vocabulary scale, the linking words, the academic register, and the natural, native-sounding phrases you need to talk about preference at every level of an IELTS Speaking test — and in real conversation too.
In a hurry? See the quick-fix version →1. Why This Skill Matters
Every IELTS Speaking test touches on preference in some form — a hobby you enjoy, a place you like visiting, whether you'd prefer X to Y, or a more abstract question about why people like what they like. Examiners are listening for three things: accuracy (no grammar mistakes), range (not repeating "like" and "love" forever), and naturalness (sounding like a real person, not a phrasebook). This guide is built to give you all three.
2. How IELTS Tests "Liking" Across All Three Parts
- Part 1 (short, personal questions): Do you like swimming? What kind of music do you like? Do you prefer tea or coffee? You need quick, natural, varied answers.
- Part 2 (the 2-minute long turn): You may be asked to describe a hobby you enjoy, describe something you really like doing in your free time, or describe a person you like spending time with. You need to sustain your liking-language across a full monologue without repeating yourself.
- Part 3 (discussion): Questions move to the abstract and societal — Why do people's preferences change as they get older? Do you think it's important to have a hobby you're passionate about? You need a more formal register, hedging language, and academic vocabulary.
3. The Core Toolkit: Structures for Liking and Disliking
3.1. Like & Enjoy
Both like and enjoy are near-synonyms sitting at the neutral end of the scale — good rotation words so you don't repeat "like" every time.
- like + to + verb OR like + verb-ing — both are correct and mean the same thing: I like to study English. / I like studying English.
- enjoy + verb-ing only — never enjoy + to verb. ✅ I enjoy practising the guitar. ❌ I enjoy to practise the guitar.
Referring back: once you've named an activity, don't repeat it — use it (singular) or they (plural): I really enjoy studying English. It is fun. / I like watching football matches — they are so exciting.
3.2. Preferring One Thing to Another
- prefer + verb-ing + to + verb-ing — I prefer cycling to taking the bus.
- prefer + to verb + rather than + verb — I prefer to cycle rather than take the bus.
These two structures mean exactly the same thing. The critical rule: "prefer + to verb" can only be followed by "rather than," never by "to." ❌ I prefer to cycle to taking the bus.
You can strengthen a comparison with a comparative adjective: Cycling is much faster than taking the bus. / Actually playing sport is much more exciting than just watching it.
3.3. Disliking Things
Dislike also has its own scale, from softened to absolute:
| Strength | Expression |
|---|---|
| Mildest | don't particularly like |
| Mild | don't really like / don't really enjoy |
| Moderate | don't like / don't enjoy / not keen on / not interested in |
| Strong | really don't like / thoroughly dislike / strongly dislike |
| Strongest | can't stand / absolutely hate |
Word order changes strength: I don't really like it (mild) vs. I really don't like it (much stronger) — the position of "really" relative to "don't" is the whole difference.
"Very much" placement: very much goes after the activity, never before the verb. ✅ I like going to the seaside very much. ❌ I very much like going to the seaside. Use really before the verb instead: ✅ I really enjoy studying English.
3.4. The Liking Intensity Scale
This is the single most useful upgrade you can make: instead of jumping straight from "like" to "love," climb a real scale.
- like / enjoy — neutral baseline
- quite like / be fond of — a small step up 3–4. really / especially / particularly + like/enjoy/love — noticeably stronger; especially and particularly also imply "this one, above the others"
- be passionate about — strong, but shifts meaning toward dedication or identity, not just enjoyment — best for a hobby or cause, not a light preference
- adore — very strong, often affectionate
- be crazy about / can't get enough of — very strong and informal
- love — the strongest plain-English word, works in any register
Picking the right rung shows real control of the language instead of "like" and "love" on repeat.
3.5. Grammar Warnings You Must Not Break
- "Very" cannot go directly before a verb — not before like, enjoy, or love. ❌ I very like walking. ✅ I really like walking. Remember: very + adjective/adverb is always fine (very interesting, very well); very + verb is always wrong.
- -ed vs -ing adjectives: the person feeling something takes -ed (I am interested); the thing causing the feeling takes -ing (Football is interesting). Classic error: ❌ I am boring (means you cause boredom in others) vs. ✅ I am bored.
- Parallel structure in lists: if you list activities after like/enjoy/love, every item must use the same form. ✅ I like going to the cinema, watching TV and playing video games. ❌ I especially like reading, have fun with my friends and relaxing.
4. How These Words and Structures Relate to Each Other
This is the "relationships" map — the exact connections that exist between the terms above, straight from the source data:
- like ↔ enjoy — near_synonym: roughly equal strength; rotate between them to avoid repetition.
- prefer + verb-ing + to + verb-ing ↔ prefer + to verb + rather than + verb — alternative_structure: identical meaning; the verb-ing form is more casual, the to-verb form slightly more deliberate.
- "X is more... than Y" ↔ "X is not as... as Y" — opposite_structure: same meaning, opposite framing; "not as... as" can sound more polite/hedged.
- verb-ing list ↔ to-verb list (parallel structure) — complementary_rule: the same consistency rule applies to both patterns — pick one form and stick to it.
- but ↔ however ↔ although ↔ though — a near_synonym contrast cluster: but links two clauses casually; however is more formal and starts a new sentence; although introduces a subordinate clause; though is the most informal and can go at the end of a sentence. Note: although and but can never appear in the same sentence.
- don't particularly like → really don't like/can't stand/absolutely hate — degree_scale: the full dislike ladder, mild to strongest.
- like(1) → quite like/be fond of(2) → really/especially/particularly like(3–4) → passionate about(5) → adore(6) → crazy about/can't get enough of(7) → love(8) — degree_scale: the liking ladder from §3.4.
- rewarding ↔ satisfying ↔ inspiring — near_synonym cluster with real nuance: rewarding = satisfaction from contributing to others/a cause; satisfying = personal accomplishment; inspiring = makes you want to create or act.
- quite into ↔ a fan of ↔ keen on ↔ interested in — near_synonym cluster, each with its own fixed preposition (see §12).
5. Talking About People, Relationships and Feelings
Liking isn't only about hobbies — you'll often need it for people too. Useful vocabulary: people in a relationship, a couple, a married couple, single people, family-oriented, patient, social, energetic. Example: I'm really close to my cousin — she's incredibly social and family-oriented, so I always enjoy spending time with her.
For the feeling an activity or person gives you, activity adjectives carry real nuance:
- relaxing — reduces stress
- rewarding — satisfaction from contributing to something/someone
- satisfying — personal sense of accomplishment
- inspiring — makes you want to create or act
- therapeutic — calming, almost healing
6. Linking and Contrasting Your Ideas
To sound fluent rather than like a list of facts, connect your points:
- but — casual, mid-sentence: I really like my maths teacher, but I like my science teacher more.
- however — more formal, new sentence: I enjoy outdoor activities. However, I don't particularly like extreme sports.
- although / though — subordinate clause: Although I study hard most of the time, I always find time for fun on weekends.
- as opposed to — precise contrast: I love the winters here, as opposed to the awful summers.
- as well as — adds information: She is my classmate as well as my best friend.
- actually / in fact — introduces a surprising or reinforcing detail: Actually, it's often more relaxing to cook than to eat out.
7. Part 1 in Practice: Short Answers Across 5 Topics
Topic — Sport & Exercise
Weak: I like swimming. Upgraded: I'm really keen on swimming — I usually go a couple of times a week after work.
Topic — Music & Dance
Weak: I very love K-pop. Upgraded: I'm really into a lot of music, but I adore K-pop specifically — I'm passionate about the choreography as much as the songs.
Topic — Food & Eating
Weak: I like all food, I love everything. Upgraded: I quite like most foods, but I'm especially fond of Vietnamese street food, and honestly I can't get enough of good pho.
Topic — Technology & Communication
Weak: I like using my phone. I don't know why, I just do. Upgraded: I'm quite keen on using my phone for photography, because I find editing photos really relaxing after a long day.
Topic — Relationships & Family
Weak: I like my grandparents. Upgraded: I'm really fond of my grandparents — they're incredibly patient and family-oriented, so I always look forward to visiting them.
8. Part 2 in Practice: A Full Model Monologue
Cue card: Describe a hobby that you really enjoy. You should say what it is, how you discovered it, how often you do it, and explain why you enjoy it so much.
I'd like to talk about photography, which is something I've been really keen on for the past few years. I actually discovered it almost by accident — my uncle, who's a professional photographer, lent me an old camera when I was staying with him one summer, and I was instantly hooked. What I especially like about it is that it's both relaxing and satisfying at the same time: relaxing because it forces me to slow down and pay attention to my surroundings, and satisfying because you get an immediate result you can be proud of.
These days I try to go out shooting at least once or twice a week, usually early in the morning when the light is best. I'm particularly fond of street photography — capturing ordinary moments in a city — as opposed to studio work, which I find a lot less interesting. I've also joined a small local photography club, which has been really rewarding, mainly because of the friendships I've made there rather than the photos themselves.
If I'm honest, I'm quite obsessed with it at this point — I can't get enough of scrolling through other photographers' work online for inspiration. It's turned from a casual interest into something closer to a passion, and I think that's the great thing about a good hobby: it grows on you slowly until you can't imagine your free time without it.
9. Part 3 in Practice: Discussing Preference at a Higher Level
Q: Why do you think people's preferences change as they get older?
I believe that preference is heavily shaped by context rather than being fixed. As an individual moves through different life stages, the factors that made something enjoyable at twenty — excitement, social status, novelty — are often replaced by a preference for things that are simply relaxing or meaningful. A considerable number of older adults, for instance, develop a much stronger interest in gardening or reading, activities they may have found dull in their youth. So it's less that taste disappears and more that it varies according to what a person needs from life at that particular point.
Q: Do you think it's important for people to have a hobby they're passionate about?
To some extent, yes, although I wouldn't say it's essential for everyone. From my perspective, having at least one significant interest gives people a sense of identity and something to look forward to, which has an obvious psychological benefit. That said, I can see the counter-argument too: not everyone has the time or resources to pursue a hobby seriously, and a person can lead a perfectly fulfilling life without one all-consuming passion. On balance, though, I'd say the advantages outweigh the drawbacks for most people.
10. Academic Words (AWL) for Talking About Preference
Higher-register vocabulary that lifts a Part 3 answer without sounding unnatural:
| Word | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| individual (adj/n) | a single person, considered separately | What people like is often a highly individual choice. |
| factor (n) | one of several things that influences a result | A major factor behind why I love hiking is the sense of freedom it gives me. |
| significant (adj) | important or noticeable | There's a significant difference between liking something and being passionate about it. |
| consistent (adj) | staying the same over time | My taste in music has stayed fairly consistent since I was a teenager. |
| context (n) | the situation or circumstances around something | The word "quite" changes meaning depending on context. |
| perspective (n) | a particular way of viewing something | From my perspective, the best hobbies are the ones that also feel rewarding. |
| aspect (n) | one particular part or feature of something | The social aspect of team sports is what I enjoy most. |
| identify (v) | to recognise or name something clearly | It helps to identify exactly why you like something before you describe it. |
| considerable (adj) | fairly large in amount or degree | There's a considerable difference in strength between "quite like" and "adore." |
| vary (v) | to be or become different | How strongly people like something can vary a great deal from person to person. |
| notion (n) | an idea or belief | The notion that you should only ever say "I like" is a myth. |
| trend (n) | a general direction of change | There's a growing trend toward niche hobbies people are genuinely passionate about. |
11. Idioms for Liking and Disliking
- be my cup of tea — something I enjoy: Horror films aren't really my cup of tea.
- not my thing — something I don't particularly enjoy: Clubbing has never been my thing.
- grow on me — to gradually start liking something: I hated jazz at first, but it's really grown on me.
- be over the moon about — extremely pleased about: She was over the moon about the concert tickets.
- be mad about — to like something a great deal (informal): My brother's mad about football.
- can't stand the sight of — to strongly dislike (often a person): I can't stand the sight of cheap horror movies.
- have a soft spot for — to have a particular fondness for: I've always had a soft spot for old black-and-white films.
- not for me — a polite way to say something doesn't suit your taste: Sushi is lovely, but raw fish is just not for me.
12. Native-Speaker Ways of Saying It
Each of these carries its own fixed preposition — mixing them up is one of the most common learner mistakes:
- I'm quite into + activity — I'm quite into playing tennis. (British "quite" often means "very," not "somewhat.")
- I'm a fan of + activity/thing — I'm a big fan of hip-hop. Can be intensified: a big fan, a huge fan.
- I'm keen on + activity — I'm really keen on reading novels. Very natural in spoken British English.
- I'm interested in + activity/subject — I'm extremely interested in the latest fashions. The most neutral and versatile of the four.
- be hooked on (informal) — I'm completely hooked on this TV series.
- be obsessed with (informal) — I'm a bit obsessed with true crime podcasts.
- it's a guilty pleasure — something you enjoy but feel slightly embarrassed about: Reality TV is a guilty pleasure of mine.
Memory aid: in*TO (fully immersed), a fan OF, keen ON, interested IN.*
13. Common Mistakes at a Glance
| ❌ Mistake | ✅ Correction |
|---|---|
| I very like walking. | I really like walking. |
| I enjoy to practise. | I enjoy practising. |
| I very much like going out. | I like going out very much. / I really like going out. |
| I prefer to cycle to taking the bus. | I prefer to cycle rather than take the bus. / I prefer cycling to taking the bus. |
| Although I live near the coast, but I don't like the sea. | Although I live near the coast, I don't like the sea. |
| The film is bored. | The film is boring. (I am bored.) |
| I like reading, watch films and to relax. | I like reading, watching films and relaxing. |
14. Exercises
A. Fill in the gap with the correct word from the box. (really / enjoy / fond / rather / very / much)
- I ___ swimming, especially in the sea.
- I prefer walking to the shop ___ than driving.
- I don't ___ like getting up early — it's not my favourite thing.
- My grandmother is very ___ of gardening.
- I like classical music ___ much.
- You cannot say "I ___ love" this film — it's grammatically wrong.
B. Put these expressions in order from weakest to strongest liking. adore — like — be passionate about — quite like — love — can't get enough of
C. Correct the mistake in each sentence.
- I very enjoy cooking for my friends.
- She's a fan on classical music.
- I like to swim, hiking and reading in my free time.
- Although it was raining, but we still went for a walk.
- I very much dislike loud parties. (check the placement rule)
D. Match the idiom to its meaning.
- grow on me a) to like something a lot (informal)
- not my thing b) to gradually start liking something
- be mad about c) something I don't enjoy
E. Choose the correct preposition.
- I'm really keen ___ hiking. (on / of / in)
- I'm quite into ___ video games. (of / — / in)
- I'm a big fan ___ true crime podcasts. (on / of / in)
F. Part 3 discussion practice. Answer each question aloud in 3–4 sentences, using at least one AWL word from §10 and one contrast word from §6.
- Do you think advertising influences what people like?
- Why might two people from the same family have completely different tastes?
- Should schools help children discover things they're passionate about?
15. Answer Key
A. 1. really 2. rather 3. very (much) 4. fond 5. very 6. very B. quite like → like → be passionate about → adore → can't get enough of → love (note: "like" and "quite like" sit close together; "be passionate about" shifts toward identity rather than pure strength — see §3.4) C. 1. I really enjoy cooking for my friends. 2. She's a fan of classical music. 3. I like to swim, hike and read in my free time. 4. Although it was raining, we still went for a walk. 5. I dislike loud parties very much. / I really dislike loud parties. D. 1–b, 2–c, 3–a E. 1. on 2. — (no preposition needed before "video games" here: "I'm quite into video games") 3. of F. Open answers — check for one AWL word and one contrast word.
16. Glossary
- Comparative — the form of an adjective used to compare two things (faster, more interesting).
- Degree scale — a set of expressions ranked from weakest to strongest meaning (e.g. the liking scale in §3.4).
- Discourse marker — a word or phrase that organises speech and shows the relationship between ideas (however, actually, although).
- Gerund (verb-ing) — the -ing form of a verb used as a noun (swimming, reading).
- Hedging — softening a statement so it sounds less absolute (to some extent, I'd say).
- Near-synonym — a word very close in meaning to another, but not identical in strength, register, or use.
- Parallel structure — using the same grammatical form for every item in a list.
- Register — the level of formality of language; register should rise from Part 1 to Part 3.
- Scale rank — the position of a word on an intensity scale, from weakest (1) to strongest (8) in the liking scale here.