Question: I have heard that ‘would’ is often used to be polite. So is I would like just a more polite way to say I like?

Grammar: Modal Verbs

Actually, I would like is a polite way to say I want. I like has a different meaning. Note:

• I would like a hamburger because I like hamburgers.

I would like is used to talk about what you want someone to give you at the time of speaking. Therefore, when we are in restaurants or shops, we tend to use I would like.

However, if someone says I like hamburgers, they are simply talking about something they enjoy eating in general. It doesn’t mean they want a hamburger now.

You should pay attention to plural nouns when using these forms. These sentences are incorrect:

• I would like hamburgers. (If you say this, the waiter will ask you how many you want.)

• I like the hamburger. (If you say this, it means that you like only one hamburger, but don’t like all the others.)