Learning English

Callum
Hello, I'm Callum Robertson and this is How To, the series from bbclearningenglish.com that shows you how to do things in English.
In this programme we're going to be looking at different ways of saying that you like things.
There are many ways in English of saying that you like something and the language can change depending on what you are talking about, but in this programme we'll be looking at some simple responses to this basic question:

EXAMPLE
Do you like Chinese food?

Callum
Imagine that a friend has invited you to her house for dinner and she's checking with you what she should prepare.
We'll hear some different responses and I'll comment on them. Here's the first one with the most basic response:

EXAMPLE
Do you like Chinese food?
Yes.

Callum
That's accurate, correct English, and it does give the answer but it's very, very short and it's not really very communicative.
It doesn't help the conversation to continue or flow. So let's hear a longer answer.

EXAMPLE
Do you like Chinese food?
Yes, I do.

Callum
That's a little better: it's correct, it still gives an answer but short answers like that aren't really good for continuing a conversation.
Notice though that the answer is yes, I do, not yes, I like. But we still want to hear more, so listen out now for something extra.

EXAMPLE
Do you like Chinese food?
Yes, I do; I really like it.

Callum
Now we're getting somewhere! At last there's the first sign of a personal response, we find out not just that he likes Chinese food, but he really likes it.
Really likes it. Really is a great adverb to use to highlight a strong feeling. It's stronger than like by itself.

EXAMPLE
I really like it.

Callum
Notice how the adverb really is used, it comes before the verb.

EXAMPLE
I really like it.

Callum
Adverbs like really are not grammatically necessary but they add colour and personality to what you say.
It helps to make you sound more interested and interesting. Now, let's hear some more expressions for things that you like.

EXAMPLE
I like it a lot.

Callum
I like it a lot. Notice the pronunciation of this phrase, how it flows together, how the words link. Like, it, a all flow together: like it a, like it a lot.
This linking is a very common feature of pronunciation in English. When a word ends in a consonant sound and the next word starts with a vowel sound they can link together. So like, it, a becomes like it a - I like it a lot.

EXAMPLE
I like it a lot.

Callum
And how do you think we can make that stronger? Yes, that's right, by adding the adverb really.

EXAMPLE
I really like it a lot.

Callum
And here's one more thing that you can say:

EXAMPLE
I love it.

Callum
I love it. Love, of course, is a very strong emotion, but you can use the word to talk about things that you really like a lot.
And you can make it stronger still by using the adverb really.

EXAMPLE
I really love it.

Callum
I really love it.

Now here's a little exercise to practise the phrases we've looked at today. I'm going to say a phrase and I want you to repeat it, but use the adverb really in the phrase.

Don't forget the adverb goes before the verb. And try and practise the linking where possible. Here goes:

I like it.
I really like it.
I like it a lot.
I really like it a lot.
I love it.
I really love it.

Now to end, here's a short listening activity. Let's go back to our food conversation and you'll hear one of today's phrases.
Which one do you hear and also when is the dinner party?

EXAMPLE

Helen
Hi Neil, I'm having a dinner party on Saturday night; would you like to come?

Neil
Yes, I'd love to. What are you cooking?

Helen
I don't know. I haven't decided yet. Do you like Chinese food?

Neil
Yes, I love it; it's my favourite!

Helen
Great! Is 7 o'clock OK?

Neil
That's fine. See you then.

Callum
Well Neil used the phrase I love it and the dinner party is at 7 o'clock on Saturday. Listen again.

EXAMPLE

Helen
Hi Neil, I'm having a dinner party on Saturday night; would you like to come?

Neil
Yes, I'd love to. What are you cooking?

Helen
I don't know. I haven't decided yet. Do you like Chinese food?

Neil
Yes, I love it; it's my favourite!

Helen
Great! Is 7 o'clock OK?

Neil
That's fine. See you then.

Callum
Well, that's all from this edition of How To. We've looked at some simple expressions for saying that you like something, we've looked at using the adverb really to make something stronger and we've also seen how some words in English link together when speaking.
You can find more information, downloads and quizzes on this topic at bbclearningenglish.com.