Likes, Dislikes, and Preferences

        No matter in the workplace or in social occasions, we all hope to express our opinions smoothly. This English classroom will show you how to express your preferences properly and accurately.

        1、 Expressing preferences through differences

        In daily conversation, "expressing preferences" appropriately can help the conversation go smoothly. Therefore, likes is often used to express "special" preferences, it emphasizes on individual differences, and then lead to more topics. However, if the preferences are not special enough to see differences, it will affect the effect of the conversation!

        * Examples of slighter differences

        I like delicious food

        I like to laugh

        I like to sleep

        In the above examples, delicious food, laughter, sleeping and rest are what most people like or need. They are too wide and not specific to produce individual differences, and they are easy to become "topic killer" in social interaction.

        * Examples with greater differences

        I like to dance

        I like going to the beach

        I like Italian food

        The above examples can express one’s own preferences, show their own characteristics in social interaction, and smoothly extend the topic.

        Tips: avoid Chinglish

        How to express that you like chocolates?

        1. ( X ) I very like chocolates.

        2. (V ) I love chocolates.

        3. (V ) I like chocolates very much.

        4. (V) I very much like chocolates.

        “Very like” is not used to express one likes something very much in English. Using “love” or “very much” is appropriate.

        2、 Expressing preferences

        It is not suitable to use extreme words to express preferences in business and social occasions or in the first meeting. It is more often to use prefer or rather instead of dislike to show that you do not like certain things very much.

        * Wrong statement

        I don't like coffee

        I dislike coffee

        * Correct statement

        I prefer water / tea / orange juice

        I would rather have a meeting today, if that is OK

        Scenario 1: after a business seminar

        Mark: how do you like the seminar

        Sabrina: it's very useful and informative. I quite like it (quite = very)

        Mark: I feel the same way. By the way, I'd like to grab a quick bite before heading back to the office. Would you like to come?

        Sabrina: sounds like a plan. What's in your mind?

        Mark: I'm thinking Thai food, what do you think?

        Sabrina: Actually, I’m not a big fan of Thai food. It’s a little too spicy for me. I prefer Italian food to Thai food. (not a big fan = not interested, polite expression)

        Mark: brilliant. I know a great Italian Bistro around the area. Let's go

        Scenario 2: ready to order

        Sabrina: Wow! What a great Italian bistro. Good choice mark! Mark

        Mark: you should try their Caesar salad to start with (to start with = first)

        Sabrina: they all look good to me. I'll go with Caesar salad for now

        Mark: Their iced dripped coffee is recommended

        Sabrina: I've already had two cups of coffee at the seminar this morning. I'd rather have fresh juice than another cup

        Mark: then you should try their passage fruit smoothie

        Sabrina: that's it, Mark. Let's take the order

        Grammar tips (grammar supply station)

        *Usage of preference

        1. Express a preference for something = prefer + noun / infinitive or gerund

        Example

        In the afternoon, I prefer tea

        Actually, I prefer having Americano in the morning

        He prefers to work in a team

        I prefer taking / to take a job with flexible working hours

        2. Compare two things = prefer A to / over B (A and B are both nouns or gerunds)

        Example

        He prefers tea to coffee

        I prefer Chinese food to Italian food

        As for leisure activities, Johnson prefers playing the guitar over playing basketball

        * Usage of rather

        1. Compare the order of A and B = a rather than B (the items in front are preferred)

        Example: in my opinion, it's easier to hold a teleconference today rather than to meet in person next week

        2. Compare two things

        He'd rather go to bed than watch the basketball game

        3. Would rather + infinitive

        I would rather stay at home on a rainy day

        * Usage of prefer + rather

        Prefer to A rather than B = would rather A than B (A and B are both infinitives)

        Example

        Douglas prefers to go hiking rather than play video games

        Douglas would rather go hiking than play video games

        The above English teaching is provided by EIE American English. Please contact EIE Institute Belle Yin (Tel: (02) 8773-6828 ext. 368; Email: belle@eie.com.tw)

        More English course information: http://www.eie.com.tw/tw/

        Free English course experience: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1faipqlsfidpeldksz4nzbmappewgys2jahsa9brrk \\