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Verb expressions for
"like", "not like", "would like"

"like"

"To like doing something" is expressed by:

  1. gern + verb
  2. gefallen + zu + verb infinitive

1) Wir spielen gern Tennis.
2) Es gefällt uns, Tennis zu spielen.		 We like to play tennis.
We like playing tennis.		 Exercise

"To like somebody or something" is expressed by:

  1. gern haben + object
  2. subject + gefallen + dative object.

1) Wir haben Tennis gern.
2) Tennis gefällt uns.		 We like tennis.
We like tennis.		 Exercise

"not like"

"To not like doing something" is expressed by:

  1. nicht gern + verb
  2. nicht gefallen + zu + verb infinitive

1. Er spielt nicht gern Tennis.
2. Es gefällt ihm nicht, Tennis zu spielen. 		He doesn't like to play tennis.
He doesn't like to play tennis.		 Exercise

"To not like somebody or something" is expressed by:

  1. nicht gern haben + object
  2. subject + nicht gefallen + dative object
  3. nicht mögen + object

1. Er hat Tennis nicht gern.
2. Tennis gefällt ihm nicht.
3. Er mag Tennis nicht.		 He doesn't like tennis.
He doesn't like tennis.
He doesn't like tennis. 		Exercise

"would like"
"Would like to do something" is expressed by: möchten + verb. Gerne is often used to give a positive answer to a "would like" question.

Ich möchte Tennis spielen.
Möchten Sie Wein bestellen?
Ja, gerne

I would like to play tennis.
Would you like to order wine?
Yes, I would.

 Exercise

"Would like something" is expressed by:

  1. möchten + object
  2. hätten gern + object

Ich möchte ein Glas Wein.
Ich hätte gern ein Glas Wein.		 I would like a glass of wine.
I would like a glass of wine.		 Exercise

 

© 1997 by Gary Smith
Revised 2023