WANT
LUCE/NOT LIKE
\ t
ENJOY fS^
see also
EXCITING/ V EXCITED
POPULAR/ UNPOPULAR
to want something or
want to do something
want vvDnt||waint. W3:nt/' [i> T] want to do sth What do you want to do at the weekend? I Stacev wants to be a doctor.
want sth Do you want milk in your coffee? I My parents moved out of London because they wanted a bigger house.
want sb to do sth She Luants Tom to
come to her party.
Don't say 'I want visit England'. Say I want to visit England
what sb wants is What we want is a car that's cheap and reliable.
A
Don't say 'I want that you do it'. Say 1 want you to do it.
^^You can use want without an object or infinitive in expressions like 'if you want' or 'if you want to': You can come with us if you want to. I They are free to leave whenever they want.
Qwould like /wod laik/ especially spoken use this as a polite way of asking for something, offering something, or saying what you want to do would like to do sth I'd like to reserve a room for Saturday. I Would you like to borrow this book?
would like sth We'd like some information about flights to Chicago, please. I Would you like some more coffee? would like sb to do sth We would like you to attend an interview at 3:30 on Friday.
Q/eel like /fj:] laik especially spoken to want to have something or do something, because you think you would enjoy it /eel like doing sth I fee! like watching a video tonight. I I just didn't feel like
going to school.
feel like sth Do you feel like a glass of wine? ! It's a lovely day - do you feel like a walk?
i/ you feel like it (=if you want to) Come and see us tomorrow if you feel like it.
be interested in ;bi: intr^d in to
think that you may want to do something, buy something, or get involved in something
be interested in doing sth We're inter ested in buying an apartment downtown. I Would you be interested in joining the local drama club? be interested in sth Clare was interested in a career in teaching.
Ql wouldn't mind /aj wodnt mamd/
spoken say this to tell someone politely that you want to do something or want to have something, especially with them I wouldn't mind stH I wouldn't mind another cup of coffee. How about you? I wouldn't mind doing sth It was a really good play. I wouldn't mind seeing it again.
A
I wouldn't mind (when answering someone's question) "Do you want to go out
for a weal sometime7 "Yes. I wouldn't mind."
I wouldn't mind js less definite than ' want or I'd like.
Qif you like /if ju: lark/ spoktn say this when you are offering to let someone do something if they want to do it: Von can stay here tonight, if you like. I If you like. I could check your essay for you.
by choice /bai 'tjois. if you do something by choice, you do it because you want to do it. and not because anyone forces you to do it: Jim liv+s with his parents by choice - he could rent his own place if he wanted to.
to want something very
much
wish /wij" [и T not in passive] to want something to happen, when it is unlikely or impossible that it will happen, or when you cannot control what will happen + (that) I wish I had с car like that. I Beth wished that she could stav there forever.
wish sb/sth would do sth / wish they would turn that music down.
Дь Don't confuse wish (=want something that is unlikely or impossible) and hope (=want something that is likely or possible) I wish the weather would stay like this forever. I I hope the weather stays fine this
weekend.
Don't say 'i wish to be rich'. Say ' want
A Don't say 'I wish I can fly'. Say I wish I could fly (=but I can't). Use past tense forms after wish (that) / wjsh i knew (=but I don't know). I I bet you wish you had a ticket! (=but you don't).
^^ uon i say i wisn to oe ncn . ъау to be rich (=jt js possible) or I wish I were
rich (=but I am not). Wish js used with the infinitive only in very formal or official situations: The President wishes to thank alt his staff for their help.
QWOuld love wod Iav especially spoken to want something very much, and feel that you would be happy if you had it would love stk I would love a cup of coffee.
would love to do sth She would love to have children but she hasn't met the right man.
would love sb to do sth My mother would love me to come and live in New York with her
Ql can't wait ai ,ka:nt 'weit||-,kasnt- spoken say this when you want something to happen as soon as possible, because you know you will enjoy it and you are very excited about it: "You're going on holiday soon, aren't you?" "Yes, I can't wait."
I can't wait to do sth / can't wait to see Bil! again - it's been a long time. + for I can't wait for Christmas.
О be dying bi: 'dai-ii]/ spoken informal to
want something very much, and feel that you must have it or do it immediately be dying to do sth I'm dying to meet Lisa's new boyfriend. + for I'm dying for a drink - let's go to a bar.
to want one thing more than another thing
would prefer W()Cl рпТз:г/ if you would prefer something or would prefer to do
something, you want it or want to do it more than something else: "Would you like a coffee?" "I'd prefer a cold drink, please."