Do you like...? vs What's it like?

Did you know the word 'like' can be all of these things? Now that can be confusing.

In this video we're going to look at two meanings of 'like' and fix a common mistake.

Let's start with 'like', the verb. What are you watching? Detective Smith. Oh, I like

this programme. When we enjoy things, we like them.

Happy birthday, Jay. Oh, thank you. Oh, it's a bow tie. Oh, thank you!

I love it. Oh I'm so glad you like it.

So if we think something is nice, we like it.

And if we don't think it's nice, we don't like it. Easy huh?

OK. Now let's look at another meaning of 'like'. Come on, Vick. Let's go for a run. Oh no.

Do we have to? Your heart is like a muscle. You have to exercise it.

Oh. If one thing is like something else, it's

similar. Like is a preposition here, and we use it to talk about things that are similar.

It's freezing out. I know, feel my hands. They're like ice.

Now, now darling. You mustn't cry any more. Cheer up. Would you like to hear old uncle

make a noise like a duck? (duck noises) Well sorry. Hmph.

Now there's a question that often confuses my students. Do you know what it means?

Hi! Where are you? I'm in my hotel room. What's it like? It's fabulous.

Is 'like' a verb or a preposition in this question? It's a preposition. So this question

doesn't mean 'Do you like it?' It means what's it similar to? Describe it

for me. We went to a networking event last night.

Oh, what was it like? Boring. It was very useful. There were about a dozen

people there and everyone made a short presentation. I didn't like it. Kathy's not asking if you

liked it, Jay. She wants us to tell her about it.

Did you meet any interesting people? Yes. Well, I did. I didn't talk to anybody.

So these are useful questions and they mean tell me what you think. Use them when you

want people to describe things. Now here's an English food product that I

like, but most Americans haven't tried it. I'm going to give some to Jase. Let's see

if he likes it. Have you ever had marmite before? No I haven't.

Wow! It's almost like Nutella or something. Uhuh. So it's like a dessert. Uhuh. Like a,

like a chocolate or something. That's different. It's erm... almost like

beef bouillon, or something. Wow! What do you think? It's pretty powerful

stuff. It is powerful stuff, isn't it? But all British

kids grow up on it. Wow! So what's marmite like? Is it really like

a chocolate dessert? No. The taste surprised Jase. Marmite is like

beef bouillon. So Jase, do you ever want to have marmite

again. Erm... Possibly. Do you think Jase likes it or is he just being

polite? Tell us in the comments below.