While learning English, one of the most common words you use every single day is “like.”
“I like this movie.”
“She likes ice cream.”
“Do you like reading books?”
It’s short, simple, and useful. But here’s the challenge: if you rely only on “like,” your English can sometimes sound repetitive or too basic. Native speakers have many different ways to express the same idea—whether it’s talking about preferences, admiration, similarities, or just filler words in conversation.
In this post, I’ll guide you through different ways to say “like” in English, with plenty of examples so you can start using them right away. By the end, you’ll have a whole new set of words and expressions to make your English richer and more natural.
This is the most common use of “like”—to express something you enjoy. Instead of repeating “like” all the time, you can try these alternatives:
Stronger than “like.”
Example: “I love Italian food. It’s my favorite cuisine.”
Polite and clear; useful in both casual and formal English.
Example: “Do you enjoy reading novels in English?”
Shows a choice between two things.
Example: “I prefer tea over coffee in the morning.”
Informal, often used in casual conversations.
Example: “He’s really into photography these days.”
Slightly formal, but warm and friendly.
Example: “She’s very fond of her grandmother’s cooking.”
Common in British English.
Example: “I’m really keen on learning new languages.”
👉 Tip: Use these alternatives depending on the situation. For daily conversations with friends, “I’m into” or “I love” sound natural. In professional or polite settings, “enjoy” or “prefer” might be better.
We also use “like” to compare things or describe similarities. For example: “She sings like a professional.” Instead of always using “like,” you can say:
Example: “This design is similar to the one we saw yesterday.”
More formal, often used for appearance.
Example: “He really resembles his father.”
Used when something makes you think of another thing.
Example: “This song reminds me of my childhood.”
Adds a descriptive or imaginative comparison.
Example: “She looks as if she hasn’t slept in days.”
A little formal, useful in writing.
Example: “This product is comparable to the leading brand.”
In spoken English, many people use “like” as a filler word while thinking. For example: “It was, like, amazing.” This habit is very common, especially in informal conversation, but if you want to avoid sounding repetitive, you can try other fillers:
Example: “It was, you know, kind of surprising.”
Example: “Well, I think we should leave early.”
Example: “It’s basically a quicker way of doing it.”
Example: “I was kind of nervous before the interview.”
👉 Note: Fillers are natural in speech, but don’t overuse them—especially in professional situations.
On platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube, you often “like” posts, photos, or videos. But even here, English has many alternatives:
Example: “I really appreciate your video. It helped me a lot.”
Example: “Thanks for supporting my content.”
Example: “I really admire the effort you put into this project.”
Example: “Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel if you enjoy this content.”
So instead of always saying “Please like my post,” you could also say:
“Please support this post.”
“I’d appreciate your feedback.”
“Thanks for following along.”
Sometimes “like” doesn’t fit directly into the categories above. Here are more specific options:
Strong admiration.
Example: “She adores her pet cat.”
Formal and expressive, often used with food.
Example: “He relishes the chance to try new dishes.”
Informal, very strong liking.
Example: “She’s crazy about K-pop music.”
Very enthusiastic.
Example: “I can’t get enough of this new series.”
Deep, emotional appreciation.
Example: “He truly cherishes his friendships.”
When replacing “like,” learners sometimes make mistakes. Here are a few tips:
❌ Don’t say: “I very like it.”
✅ Say: “I like it very much.”
❌ Don’t confuse “like” (preposition) with “as.”
Wrong: “He works like a teacher.” (This means he is not a teacher, but acts like one.)
Right: “He works as a teacher.” (This means his job is teaching.)
❌ Don’t overuse fillers.
Using “like” in every sentence can sound unprofessional. Instead, use fillers sparingly and practice speaking smoothly.
Let’s practice! Replace “like” with a stronger or more suitable word.
“I like pizza.” → ______________________
“She looks like her sister.” → ______________________
“He is like, very tired.” → ______________________
“I’d like to watch a movie.” → ______________________
👉 Suggested answers:
“I love pizza.”
“She resembles her sister.”
“He is really tired.”
“I’d enjoy watching a movie.”
Using a variety of words doesn’t just make your English sound advanced—it also helps you express your true feelings more accurately. Saying “I like this book” and “I adore this book” are very different! One is casual; the other shows deep passion.
When you choose the right word, you not only sound natural, but you also communicate more clearly. This is especially helpful in conversations with native speakers, in academic writing, and in professional settings.
The word “like” is simple, but English offers many colorful alternatives to match different contexts. You can say “love,” “enjoy,” or “be into” when talking about hobbies. You can say “similar to,” “resemble,” or “reminds me of” when making comparisons. And you can even explore expressive words like “adore” or “cherish” when you want to show deep emotions.
Next time you’re about to use “like,” pause for a second and ask: Is there another word that fits better? With practice, these alternatives will become a natural part of your everyday English.
Keep learning, keep practicing, and soon you’ll sound more confident and fluent! 🌟
✍️ Written by Janet, your guide at English with Janet, where we make English learning simple, practical, and effective.
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