EXPRESSING LIKES AND DISLIKES by Samson Mwita

EXPRESSING LIKES AND DISLIKES.

We can use different words and phrases to express our likes and dislikes. In expressing likes and dislikes we may choose to use the expressions;

I like/dislike..................

I prefer...............

Let us look at these closely.

Using like/dislike

Ø  I like reading books

Ø  She likes visiting her grandma

Ø  We like swimming.

Ø  They like ugali.

When we use the word like we are expressing an interest in something. The verbs ‘like/love or dislike’ (hate) can be immediately followed by the name of something that a person likes or a gerund.   This is a noun in the form of the present participle of a verb (that is, ending in -ing). Additionally we can use -to infinitive.

Compare the following expressions.

Ø  I like mathematics

Ø  I like people who are hardworking.

Ø  I like your car.

Ø  I like chicken chips.

Ø  I hate people who gossip about others.

Ø  I dislike the comedians.

Ø  He likes to cook.

Ø  She loves to jog in the morning.

Then....

Ø  I like travelling during the weekends.

Ø  I like reading the bible and motivational books.

Ø  I like watching inspirational videos.

Ø  I dislike waking up early.

Ø  I hate coming home late.

Ø  She hates making mistakes

Sometimes the word enjoy is used to express likes. If so, then bear it in mind that the verb enjoy is not used with –to infinitive.

Look at the following sentences.

Ø  I enjoy watching football, I enjoy to watch football.

Ø  I enjoy reading very much.  I enjoy to read very much.

Expressing preferences.

Using prefer........................

Prefer means to like one thing or person better than another; or to choose one thing rather than something else because you like it better. So it is used to express both interest and choice.

Prefer can be used in two ways. It can be used alone or in conjunction with ‘to’.

Look at the following sentences

Ø I prefer sitting on a sofa when reading a novel.

Ø I would prefer it if you didn’t tell anyone.

Ø I can go out or stay in, but I prefer to stay in.

Ø Many chefs prefer egg pasta.

Ø I happened to prefer gospel music.

Ø The donor prefers to remain anonymous.

Compare with the following.

Ø I prefer tea to coffee.

Ø I prefer reading books to watching television.

Ø I prefer maths to chemistry.

Ø My mother prefers cooking pilau to cooking ugali.

EXERCISE

a.    Make ten sentences showing you likes and dislikes.           i.    Five likes --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         ii.    Five dislikes --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

b.    Study the words below and make 5(five)  sentences by using Prefer............to............ Studying, English, basketball, green colour, volleyball, red colour, natural juice, soda, dancing, sleeping, travelling, eating.