like

I [[t]laɪk, la͟ɪk[/t]] PREPOSITION AND CONJUNCTION USES

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likes

1) PREP If you say that one person or thing is like another, you mean that they share some of the same qualities or features.

He looks like Father Christmas...

Kathy is a great mate, we are like sisters...

It's a bit like going to the dentist; it's never as bad as you fear...

It's nothing like what happened in the mid-Seventies...

This is just like old times.

...a mountain shaped like a reclining woman.

2) PREP If you talk about what something or someone is like, you are talking about their qualities or features.

What was Bulgaria like?...

What did she look like?...

What was it like growing up in Hillsborough?...

Joe still has no concept of what it's like to be the sole parent.

3) PREP: n PREP n/-ing You can use like to introduce an example of the set of things or people that you have just mentioned.

The neglect that large cities like New York have received over the past 12 years is tremendous...

He could say things like, `Let's go to the car' or `Let us go for a walk' in French.

Syn:

such as

4) PREP You can use like to say that someone or something is in the same situation as another person or thing.

It also moved those who, like me, are too young to have lived through the war...

Like many cities in Germany, it had to re-create itself after the second world war.

5) PREP: v PREP n If you say that someone is behaving like something or someone else, you mean that they are behaving in a way that is typical of that kind of thing or person. Like is used in this way in many fixed expressions, for example to cry like a baby and to watch someone like a hawk.

I was shaking all over, trembling like a leaf...

Greenfield was behaving like an irresponsible idiot.

6) PREP: v-link PREP n You can use like in expressions such as that's just like her and it wasn't like him to indicate that the person's behaviour is or is not typical of their character.

You should have told us. But it's just like you not to share...

Why does he want to do a mad thing like that? It's not like him.

7) CONJ-SUBORD Like is sometimes used as a conjunction in order to say that something appears to be the case when it is not. Some people consider this use to be incorrect.

His arms look like they might snap under the weight of his gloves...

On the train up to Waterloo, I felt like I was going on an adventure.

Syn:

as if, as though

8) CONJ-SUBORD Like is sometimes used as a conjunction in order to indicate that something happens or is done in the same way as something else. Some people consider this use to be incorrect.

People are strolling, buying ice cream for their children, just like they do every Sunday...

He spoke exactly like I did...

We really were afraid, not like in the cinema.

9) PREP: with neg (emphasis) You can use like in negative expressions such as nothing like it and no place like it to emphasize that there is nothing as good as the situation, thing, or person mentioned.

There's nothing like candlelight for creating a romantic mood...

There was no feeling like it in the world.

10) PREP: with neg (emphasis) You can use like in expressions such as nothing like to make an emphatic negative statement.

Three hundred million dollars will be nothing like enough...

It's really not anything like as bad as it looks.

11) CONVENTION Some people say like when they are thinking about what to say next or because it has become their habit to say it. Some people do not like this use. [INFORMAL, SPOKEN]

I decided that I'd go and, like, take a picture of him while he was in the shower.

Syn:

you know

12) CONVENTION Some people say like when they are reporting what they or another person said, or what they thought about something. Some people do not like this use. [INFORMAL, SPOKEN]

He said `I'm attracted to you.' I'm like `You're kidding!'

My dad was there and he's like: `Yeah. Yeah. I want to come.'

II [[t]la͟ɪk[/t]] VERB USES

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likes, liking, liked

1) VERB: no cont If you like something or someone, you think they are interesting, enjoyable, or attractive.

[V n] He likes baseball...

[V n] I can't think why Grace doesn't like me...

[V n] What music do you like best?...

[V -ing] I just didn't like being in crowds...

[V to-inf] Do you like to go swimming?...

[V n adj/prep] I like my whisky neat...

[V n about n/-ing] That's one of the things I like about you. You're strong.

2) VERB: no cont, no passive If you ask someone how they like something, you are asking them for their opinion of it and whether they enjoy it or find it pleasant.

[V n/-ing] How do you like America?...

[V n/-ing] How did you like the trip?

Syn:

find

3) VERB: no cont If you like something such as a particular course of action or way of behaving, you approve of it.

[V n] I've been looking at the cookery book. I like the way it is set out...

[V to-inf] The US administration would like to see a negotiated settlement to the war...

[V n -ing] Opal, his wife, didn't really like him drinking so much...

[V -ing] I don't like relying on the judges' decisions. [Also V n about n/-ing]

4) VERB: no cont, no passive If you say that you like to do something or that you like something to be done, you mean that you prefer to do it or prefer it to be done as part of your normal life or routine.

[V to-inf] I like to get to airports in good time...

[V n to-inf] I hear Mary's husband likes her to be home no later than six o'clock.

Syn:

prefer

5) VERB: no cont, no passive If you say that you would like something or would like to do something, you are indicating a wish or desire that you have.

[V n] I'd like a bath...

[V to-inf] If you don't mind, I think I'd like to go home.

6) VERB: no cont, no passive You can say that you would like to say something to indicate that you are about to say it.

[V to-inf] I'd like to apologize...

[V to-inf] I would like to take this opportunity of telling you about a new service which we are offering.

7) VERB: no cont, no passive (politeness) If you ask someone if they would like something or would like to do something, you are making a polite offer or invitation.

[V n] Here's your change. Would you like a bag?...

[V n] Perhaps while you wait you would like a drink at the bar...

[V to-inf] Would you like to come back for coffee?

8) VERB: no cont, no passive (politeness) If you say to someone that you would like something or you would like them to do something, or ask them if they would like to do it, you are politely telling them what you want or what you want them to do.

[V n] I'd like an explanation...

[V n to-inf] We'd like you to look around and tell us if anything is missing...

[V to-inf] Would you like to tell me what happened?

III [[t]la͟ɪk[/t]] NOUN USES AND PHRASES

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likes

1) N-UNCOUNT You can use like in expressions such as like attracts like, when you are referring to two or more people or things that have the same or similar characteristics.

You have to make sure you're comparing like with like...

Homeopathic treatment is based on the `like cures like' principle.

2) N-PLURAL: usu poss N Someone's likes are the things that they enjoy or find pleasant.

I thought that I knew everything about Jemma: her likes and dislikes, her political viewpoints.

Ant:

dislikes

3) → See also liking

4) PHRASE: n PHR If you mention particular things or people and then add and the like, you are indicating that there are other similar things or people that can be included in what you are saying.

Many students are also keeping fit through jogging, aerobics, weight training, and the like.

Syn:

and so on

5) PHRASE: PHR with cl You say if you like when you are making or agreeing to an offer or suggestion in a casual way.

You can stay here if you like...

`Shall we stop talking about her?' - `If you like.'

Syn:

if you want

6) PHRASE: PHR with cl/group You say if you like when you are expressing something in a different way, or in a way that you think some people might disagree with or find strange.

This is more like a downpayment, or a deposit, if you like.

Syn:

let's say

7) PHRASE: PHR after v (emphasis) You can use the expressions like anything, like crazy, or like mad to emphasize that someone is doing something or something is happening in a very energetic or noticeable way. [INFORMAL]

He's working like mad at the moment.

8) PHRASE: PHR n You can talk about the likes of someone or something to refer to people or things of a particular type. [INFORMAL]

Why would somebody like her want to spend an evening with the likes of me?...

She went to Cambridge and rubbed shoulders with the likes of George Bernard Shaw.

9) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you say that something will happen like as not or as like as not, you mean that it will probably happen.

They'd come and bring their neighbours, like as not.

10) PHRASE: PHR with cl If you say that something will happen or is true like it or not, or whether someone likes it or not, you mean that although the situation may be unpleasant, it has to be faced.

Like it or not, our families shape our lives and make us what we are...

We're going to have to spend the night here whether we like it or not.

11) PHRASE: usu PHR with cl You say like this, like that, or like so when you are showing someone how something is done.

It opens and closes, like this.

12) PHRASE: PHR after v You use like this or like that when you are drawing attention to something that you are doing or that someone else is doing.

I'm sorry to intrude on you like this...

Stop pacing like that.

13) PHRASE: PHR n/-ing, n PHR You use the expression more like when mentioning an amount, name, or description that in your opinion is more accurate than one that has already been mentioned.

It's on company advice - well, orders, more like.

14) PHRASE: PHR n You use the expression something like with an amount, number, or description to indicate that it is approximately accurate.

They can get something like ₤3,000 a year...

`When roughly would this be? Monday?' - `Something like that.'

Syn:

about

15) CONVENTION If you say that's more like it, you mean that the thing that you are referring to is more satisfactory than it was on earlier occasions.

That's more like it, you're getting into the swing of things now.

16) PHRASE: n PHR cl (emphasis) If you refer to something the like of which or the likes of which has never been seen before, you are emphasizing how important, great, or noticeable the thing is.

...technological advances the like of which the world had previously only dreamed of...

We are dealing with an epidemic the likes of which we have never seen in this century.

Syn:

such as