BeginnerVerbs
Learn Like / Want + Noun or Infinitive in English
Use like and want followed by a noun or to + infinitive.
- Learning goal
- Recognize and use this pattern in context.
- Practice
- 10 randomized questions with explanations.
- Suggested workflow
- Study the examples, then take the quiz.
Grammar Focus
The verbs like and want are two of the most common verbs in everyday English. Both can be followed by a noun (or pronoun) or by a to + infinitive (also called a to-infinitive). Understanding how to use these two patterns correctly will help you express your preferences, desires, and wishes clearly and naturally.
- Use like or want + noun to talk about what you enjoy or desire as a thing: "I like coffee." / "She wants a new phone."
- Use like or want + to + base verb to talk about what you enjoy or desire as an activity: "I like to read before bed." / "He wants to travel next summer."
- For he / she / it, remember to add -s or -es to like or want: "She likes music." / "He wants to leave."
- The negative uses do not (don't) or does not (doesn't) before like or want: "They don't want to wait."
- Questions are formed with do or does: "Do you like tea?" / "Does she want to come?"
Form & Structure
Like / Want + Noun
Subject + like/want + noun/pronoun
I like chocolate.
She wants a new job.
They like action films.
Like / Want + Infinitive
Subject + like/want + to + base verb
I like to swim in the morning.
He wants to learn Spanish.
We like to eat out on weekends.
Questions with Like / Want
Do/Does + subject + like/want + noun/to+verb?
Do you like pizza?
Does she want to come to the party?
Do they want a coffee?
Common Mistakes
Using 'want' without 'to' before the infinitive
I want go to the cinema.
I want to go to the cinema.
Tip: Always use 'to' between 'want' and the base verb. The structure is: want + to + base verb.
Forgetting -s/-es for third person singular
She like coffee and he want a sandwich.
She likes coffee and he wants a sandwich.
Tip: Add -s to 'like' and 'want' when the subject is he, she, or it: likes, wants.
Using 'wanting' as a main verb in a simple statement
I am wanting a glass of water.
I want a glass of water.
Tip: 'Want' is a stative verb. Use the present simple, not the present continuous: 'I want', not 'I am wanting'.
Why This Grammar Matters
Ordering food and drinks
“I want a coffee and a piece of cake, please.”
“Do you want to try the soup? It's very good today.”
Talking about hobbies and preferences
“I like to cook at weekends — it helps me relax.”
“She likes jazz music and going to live concerts.”
Making plans and expressing wishes
“We want to visit Japan next year.”
“He wants a new laptop for his birthday.”
Asking about someone's preferences
“Do you like horror films, or do you prefer comedies?”
“Does she want to join us for dinner tonight?”