The pattern

"Do you like" plus a noun or an -ing verb asks about someone's tastes. "Do you like jazz?" "Do you like cooking?" It is the most basic small-talk question, and it works because people enjoy talking about what they like. The answer usually leads somewhere: a recommendation, a shared interest, a story.

Don't confuse it with "Would you like", which offers something right now: "Would you like a coffee?" "Do you like coffee?" asks about your general taste. Answer short, then add something: "Yes, a lot. Mostly black." A one-word answer ends the conversation.

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

  1. An offer right now, not a question about taste.

  2. A polite "no", plus what you do like.

  3. Neutral: neither like nor dislike.

Check yourself

1What is the difference between "Do you like coffee?" and "Would you like a coffee?"
2Which is a polite "no" that keeps the conversation going?
3What does "I don't mind it" mean?

Practice · 3 min

Ask about tastes, and answer with a detail. Prompt on the left, one natural sentence on the right.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.