Speaking skill

Liking Things

Talking about things you like sounds easy, but most students say the same three flat words every time. This page shows you how to make "I like it" sound like something a real person would actually say.

This is the quick-fix version — see the full guide →

Common mistake

When "I like X" is all you say

"Why isn't 'I like swimming' a good enough answer?"

It's true and correct, but it's the shortest possible way to say it - swap "I like" for a native-sounding expression, then add a frequency detail so it sounds like a real habit.

Why this works

— Use native alternatives to "I like" Rotate through "I'm a fan of X", "I'm keen on X", "I'm interested in X" instead of always saying "I like X" - it signals range instead of sounding rehearsed.

— Add when/how often you do it A frequency detail turns a flat statement into something that sounds like a real habit instead of a fact from a list.

Weak

I like swimming.

Upgraded

I'm really keen on swimming - I usually go a couple of times a week after work.

Weak

I like music.

Upgraded

I'm a big fan of pop music - I especially enjoy listening to it on the bus on my way to school every morning.

Weak

I like pizza.

Upgraded

I'm really interested in Italian food, especially pizza - my friends and I order it almost every Friday night.

Common mistake

When you like something but can't say why

"How do I fix an answer like 'I like it, I don't really know why'?"

Saying you don't know why makes the whole answer feel thin - add one concrete reason using a specific describing word instead of a vague "it's good" or "it's nice".

Why this works

— Add "because" plus one specific reason One clear reason - it's relaxing, it's rewarding, it's satisfying - makes a preference sound genuine instead of automatic.

— Swap "good" or "nice" for a precise describing word A specific adjective like "relaxing" or "rewarding" tells the examiner exactly what you get out of the activity, instead of a vague word that could describe anything.

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.

Weak

I like playing football. I don't really know why.

Upgraded

I'm a big fan of playing football because it's so rewarding when the team finally wins a close match.

Weak

I like cooking, I don't know why exactly.

Upgraded

I'm interested in cooking because it's genuinely satisfying to make something from scratch and watch people enjoy it.

Common mistake

Answering "Do you prefer X or Y?"

"How do I answer 'Do you prefer X or Y?' without just picking one and stopping?"

Don't just name the winner - use a "prefer ... to ..." structure that names both options, then add one comparative reason so the examiner hears you actually comparing them.

Why this works

— Use "prefer X-ing to Y-ing" This structure names both options in one sentence instead of only mentioning your favourite, which shows more grammatical range than a one-word answer.

— Compare with "much more ... than" A comparative adjective (much more exciting, much more convenient) gives the examiner an actual reason for the choice instead of a bare preference.

Weak

I prefer playing sports.

Upgraded

I definitely prefer playing sports to watching them - actually playing is much more exciting than just sitting and watching.

Weak

I prefer pop music.

Upgraded

I prefer listening to pop to listening to classical music - pop is much more upbeat, so it suits my mood better.

Weak

I prefer laptops.

Upgraded

I prefer using a laptop to using a desktop, mainly because a laptop is much more convenient when I need to work from different places.

Common mistake

Matching your word to how strongly you actually feel

"Is it okay to just say "I like" or "I love" for everything, no matter how strong I actually feel?"

Not if you want to sound natural - liking has a real strength scale, from a neutral "like" up to "love", so match your word to how strongly you actually feel, and don't reach for "very" to boost it.

Why this works

— Move up the liking scale as your feeling gets stronger "Like" and "enjoy" sit at the neutral end; "quite like" and "be fond of" are a touch stronger; "really like", "especially like", and "particularly like" sit in the middle; "adore", "be crazy about", and "love" sit near the top, with informal options like "can't get enough of" for something you're genuinely obsessed with. Picking the right rung shows real control of the language instead of just "like" and "love" on repeat.

— Never use "very" before like, enjoy, or love "Very" only intensifies adjectives and adverbs ("very interesting", "very well") - it can't go directly before a verb like "like", "enjoy", or "love". Use "really", "especially", or "particularly" before those verbs instead.

Weak

I very like playing football.

Upgraded

I'm really into playing football, but if I'm honest, I'm absolutely crazy about basketball - I could watch it every single day.

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.

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.

Keep exploring

Frequency → How to Expand an Answer → Comparing & Contrasting →

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