Need, Want, Would Like & Like

You know I like to

visit my parents once a
month. I want to go see I would like to go with
them next weekend. you, but I need to
work next weekend.
 Would like, like, want and need have
similarities and differences in meaning.
You know I like to
visit my parents once a
month. I want to go
see them next I would like to go
weekend. with you, but I need to
work next weekend.

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 Need and want both indicate the desire for
something.

I want to take a vacation.

I want to visit my father.

I have a great computer, but I want a new one.

3
 Need and want both indicate the desire for
something. Need implies that the thing
desired is very important or required.

I want to take a vacation.

We need money for a vacation.
I want to visit my father.
My father is sick. I need to visit him.
I have a great computer, but I want a new one.
My computer broke, so I need a new one.
She broke her leg. She needs to go to the hospital.
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 Need and want can both be used
with a noun or an infinitive.

I want to take a vacation.

We need money for a vacation.
I want to visit my father.
My father is sick. I need to visit him.
I have a great computer but I want a new one.
My computer broke, so I need a new one.
She broke her leg. She needs to go to the hospital.
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 Would like has the same meaning as want.
Would like is more polite than want but
want is commonly used.
We have a problem
here. I would like you
to do something about I would like to do
it. something. What do
you want me to do?

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Please can be added to the end of either a want or
a would like request to make it more polite.

I want you to call

a meeting,
please.

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Please cannot be added to the beginning
of either a want or a would like request.

Please, I want you

to call a meeting.

8
 Would like and like have different meanings.
Like means that someone always or usually enjoys
something.

I like big, friendly dogs.

She likes vacations in sunny places.

We like to buy a new computer every two years.

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 Would like means that someone wants
something now or in the future.

I like big, friendly dogs.

I would like to have a big friendly dog some day.
She likes vacations in sunny places.
They would like to take a vacation this winter.
We like to buy a new computer every two years.
Jack would like to buy a new computer.

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 Need, Like, Would Like & Like

Click on the sentences that mean

Mary enjoys travelling.

Mary says, “I want to travel.” incorrect

Mary says, “I like travelling.” correct

Mary says, “I like to travel.” correct

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 Need, Like, Would Like & Like

Click on the most polite sentence.

Mary says, “I want to buy a

incorrect
train ticket.”

Mary says, “I want to buy a polite, but not the

train ticket, please.” most polite

Mary says, “I would like to buy

correct
a train ticket, please.”

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 Need, Like, Would Like & Like

Click on the best choice to complete the sentence.

He lost his only pair of shoes.

He ______ new shoes to wear to school.
needs wants would like likes

Wearing shoes to school is necessary.

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 Need, Like, Would Like & Like

Click on the best choice to complete the statement.

He owns more pairs of shoes than he needs.

He really ______ shoes.

needs wants would like likes

He doesn’t need more shoes.

He only likes shoes a lot.

14
 Need, Like, Would Like & Like

Click on the correct choice to complete the sentence.

He sees a pair of shoes that he likes.

He ________ to have these shoes.

needs would like likes

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Need, Want, Would Like & Like

The End

Created by Laurette Poulos Simmons

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