Unit 58. Verb + -ing or to ... 3 (like / would like etc.)
Unit 58; Part A

When you talk about repeated actions, you can use -ing or to ... after these verbs. So you can say:
• Do you like getting up early? or Do you like to get up early?
• Stephanie hates flying. or Stephanie hates to fly.
• I love meeting people. or I love to meet people.
• I don't like being kept waiting. or ... like to be kept waiting.
• I don't like friends calling me at work. or ... friends to call me at work.
but
(1) We use -ing (not to ...) when we talk about a situation that already exists (or existed). For example:
• Paul lives in Berlin now. He likes living there. (He likes living in Berlin = He lives there and he likes it)
• Do you like being a student? (You are a student - do you like it?)
• The office I worked in was horrible. I hated working there. (I worked there and I hated it)
(2) There is sometimes a difference between I like to do and I like doing:
I like doing something = I do it and I enjoy it:
• I like cleaning the kitchen. (= I enjoy it.)
I like to do something = I think it is a good thing to do, but I don't necessarily enjoy it:
• It's not my favourite job, but I like to clean the kitchen as often as possible.
Note that enjoy and mind are always followed by -ing (not to ...):
• I enjoy cleaning the kitchen. (not I enjoy to clean)
• I don't mind cleaning the kitchen. (not I don't mind to clean)
Unit 58; Part B

Would like / would love etc. are usually followed by to ... :
• I'd like (= would like) to go away for a few days.
• Would you like to come to dinner on Friday?
• I wouldn't like to go on holiday alone.
• I'd love to meet your family.
• Would you prefer to have dinner now or later?
Compare I like and I would like (I'd like):
• I like playing tennis. / I like to play tennis. (= I like it in general)
• I'd like to play tennis today. (= I want to play today)
Would mind is always followed by -ing (not to ...):
• Would you mind closing the door, please?
Unit 58; Part C

• It's a pity we didn't see Val when we were in London. I would like to have seen her again.
• We'd like to have gone away, but we were too busy at home.
You can use the same structure after would love / would hate / would prefer:
• Poor old David! I would hate to have been in his position.
• I'd love to have gone to the party, but it was impossible.
Exercises
![]() | Unit 57 Unit 58 Unit 59 | ![]() |
Частоквартирный или офисный ремонт требуют специальнойтранспортировки отходов, возникших в результате ремонтных илистроительных работ. Вывоз мусора (кърти) - это трудоемкий процесс, который следует доверять лишь специалистам.