What is different between "like to", "would like to", "want to" ?

Question

Hello

I have been looking for the difference, but I can not find out.
What is different bewteen
1. like to
2. would like to
3. want to

- I like to drink wine
- l'd like to drink wine
- I want to drink wine

Someone say, "would like to" is more polite expression than " want to", and then, what about "like to"?

For example, If somoone ask me drink wine or not, what is the best answer?

thanks.

Answer 1

I like to answer question on Yahoo! answers. (something I enjoy doing)

I would like to be a Top Contributor. (a future/hypothetical situation that has not (yet) occurred, but that I would appreciate if it happened)

I want to be independently wealthy and do (Something I feel strongly about, stronger than the previous example, perhaps a goal or something I actively will try my best to make happen)

Thus, if someone asks how you would feel about some wine, and you answer

"I like to drink wine (have some wine),"
you are really saying: "I enjoy wine and I do drink wine now and then." Note that it didn't directly answer the implied question of whether you would like to have some wine this evening or not.

"I would like to drink wine (have some wine)." Here you say that you would enjoy having some wine with the other person this evening -- it sounds like a nice idea.

"I want to drink wine (have some wine)" This means that you WANT wine, you need wine, and that you are kind of desperate to have some sooner rather than later.

The literal meaning of the two latter are similar, in that you are saying yes to wine, but it would be more appropriate to use "would like" as opposed to "want" -- the connotative meaning is more friendly and polite. If you are talking to friends in an informal setting, and you really need a drink, stating that you want some wine would be ok.

Also, when asking a question, the same rule of thumb applies:
"What do you want?" is a much harsher question than "What would you like?".
The first one really suggests that you think the person you are talking to is sticking their nose in where it doesn't belong, while the second one means that you will get the other person something (a drink/a snack/popcorn/whatever)

Hope this helps a little! It is really confusing, though... :/

Answer 2

saying "i like to...." simply means telling somebody that it is your interest. for example, saying "i like to drink wine" means drinking wine is something you are interested in.

saying "i would like to...." expresses an interest that you will be doing in the future. so saying, "i would like to drink wine" means you will be drinking wine after a specific moment.

and lastly, saying "i want to..." expresses a sense of urgency (but NOT a necessity!) to do something whether it is your interest or not. so saying, "i want to drink wine" just means you are somewhat craving for it and would be drinking as soon as possible.

Answer 3

Unfortunately in the U.S.A. when we are taught English insufficient time is spent teaching how to conjugate verbs.
From studying other languages, I can speak about the qualities of the three examples you've listed, but I'm no expert either and can't precisely call them by name. Here goes:

All your examples revolve around the infinitive 'to drink', not to mention wine. So your other verbals modify this infinitive in three distinct ways.

First, "I like to drink wine". You use the present tense of the verb like. This is an affirmative statement-a hallmark of the 'active voice'. I think this is called the present, perfect active tense (tense refers to the time in which the action of the verb is performed, in case you were wondering).

Next, "I'd like to drink wine" speaks of performing the same action as before only if certain conditions are met which will be stated or implied later. This statement is not affirmative, has a wishy-washy quality about it, and is thus relegated to what is called the 'passive voice'. I encourage you to make up your mind - decide whether you like to drink wine or you don't like to drink wine. Just don't sit there hogging the bottle because your companion has already made his decision and is thirsty! I don't know exactly the name of this tense, but if I was asked in class, my first response would be the conditional tense.

Finally, "I want to drink wine" is a different species of sentence. There is a shade of difference between like and want. Think about it. I like to drink wine but I don't like what happens to me when I drink it because it makes me break out in spots; therefore, I don't want to drink wine. Or I could just as easily say, "I want to drink wine because I like to drink wine, but cannot because you are hogging the bottle waiting for the sun to shine right before you make up your mind when you'll take a drink". In general, want speaks of more than just a casual desire.

Speaking from experience, wine wants to be drunk.

By the way, "...would like to" seems more polite, but it really isn't. Actually, phrasing statements this way is subtly manipulative. It is a way of entangling someone else in a round of emotional semantics begging the question, "Can you persuade me to, for example, take a drink, if you stumble upon the right set of circumstances only known (or unknown) to me which will lead me to want to drink?"

It is much more positive and unambiguous to honestly say either:

I like to drink. I don't like to drink.
I want to drink. I don't want to drink.

Now, no one is left in doubt.

Earf!

Answer 4

I like to drink wine means you normally drink wine and like to drink it.

I'd like to drink wine means you don't drink wine and would like to try it.

I want to drink wine means that is what you want at that moment.

They can be easily interpreted differently depending on how you are responding or what your are replying to.

Answer 5

If you "like to" do something, it means that you have already done it at least once.

If you "would like to" do something, it means that you have not yet done it.

If you "want to" do something, it means that you'd like to do something at an indefinite time; it is indeed very similar to "would like to" - perhaps not necessarily more polite, but more formal (in my opinion).

If they're asking you to go with them and you would like to do so, you can say either that you "would like" or "want" to do so.

Answer 6

like to - - - something that is FUN for me

would like to - - - if I had the opportunity I would do it

want to - - - - -I will MAKE TIME to get this done

thanks, but no - I am the designated driver

Answer 7

like to - something you have done and enjoyed
would like to - assuming you are going to enjoy something
want - a need you have to fulfill, like it or not