 What's the difference among like, be like, look like, and would like? This free English lesson is sponsored by the following English learning sites. In this video, you will learn about the differences among these expressions, like, be like, look like, and would like. Look at the following examples. Like, Jack likes apples. Be like, Jack is like his sister. Look like, Jack looks like his father. Would like, Jack would like some coffee. The word like can be used in different ways in English. Some people find this confusing. 1. Let's start with the verb like. The verb like indicates a preference for something. It is always followed by an object. Be careful with third person singular. Questions involve a form of do. The verb like indicates a preference for something. Use it with an object. For example, I like grapes. Subject verb object. When speaking generally, you can use the plural form of count nouns. I like computers. Use third person singular with he, she, it, and singular nouns in the present tense. My daughter likes animals. She really likes stuffed animals. In questions, use some form of do. Do you like seafood? With non-count nouns, when speaking generally, no article is needed. When forming questions, use does with third person singular nouns and pronouns in the present tense. Does John like pancakes? Yes, I think he does. Big mistake 1. Do not use very before like. Use it after the object. I very like sports. Incorrect. I like sports very much. I like them a lot. I really like sports. Big mistake 2. Don't use a form of be with like when indicating preference. Is Mindy like shoes? Mindy is like shoes. Both of these are incorrect. Correct. Does Mindy like shoes? Yes, Mindy likes them a lot. Big mistake 3. Don't forget to use a form of do in questions with like. What you like to drink? Incorrect. What do you like to drink? Correct. Big mistake 4. Do not use like without an object. Not even when answering questions. Do you like books? Yes, I like. Incorrect. Yes, I do. Yes, I like them. I like books. Number 2. Be like. Be like indicates that something is similar to something else, usually in personality or some other characteristic. Sarah is like her sister. They are both talkative. The word like here is actually a preposition. The main verb is be. The verb must agree with its subject, especially in the present tense. The word like does not change. George is like the professor. We are like our parents. I am like my big brother. 3. Look like. Look like means that something resembles something else, usually physically or in an appearance. The first dog looks like the second dog. Just remember, the main verb look carries the tense and number. It may change but the word like in this situation does not. He looks like John T. Volta. They look like movie stars. Yesterday I looked like a clown. 4. Would like. The word like is used to express a choice or politely indicate a need. It is often used when offering something to guests. Would like can be shortened to would like. For example, I would like a cup of coffee, please. I'd like a cup of coffee, please. This is more common. Use would like when offering something to guests. Would you like a drink? Yes, I'd like a glass of milk. Test yourself. Tell whether the following sentences are correct or incorrect. Number 1. Jackie is like Kung Fu. Incorrect. Jackie likes Kung Fu. Correct. 2. Gary like oranges and bananas. Incorrect. Gary likes oranges and bananas. 3. Rosie looks like her mother. Correct. Rosie looks like her mother. She resembles her mother. 4. Candice very likes spaghetti. Incorrect. Candice likes spaghetti very much. I'd like a glass of water, please. Correct. I'd like a glass of water, please, or I would like a glass of water, please. It's your turn to talk. Make a few sentences using these expressions. I like. But I don't like. I like something very much. Pause the video and practice. Talk about others' preferences. My best friend likes. She likes. My cat likes. My parents like. They like. Go ahead and pause the video if you'd like more time. Talk about similarities and personality. My best friend is like someone else. My brothers are like other people. Who are you like? I am like. Go ahead and pause the video to talk more. Talk about resemblances. My sister looks like someone else. My brothers look like other people. Who do you look like? I look like. You can pause the video if you'd like more time. Note about informal usage of like. Be careful. You may hear some people, especially teenagers, informally insert the word like into their spoken sentences and phrases. This is generally not considered good usage and should be avoided in formal situations. Example. I was like so happy to see my friend. That's not good. Better. I was so happy to see my friend. Here's a free lesson about this topic. Click on this link for more information about like in English. For more practice talking about what you like and dislike, click on the link below. Thanks for watching! Learn more English at eslgold.com