Regular verb
The verb to like
like → liked → liked
A1Meaning: to enjoy something; to think something is nice · Type: regular · Frequency: Top 10 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
like / likes - Past Simple:
liked - Past participle:
liked - -ing form:
liking(without the final e)
Conjugation of the verb to like
Present Simple
| I | like |
| You | like |
| He / She / It | likes |
| We | like |
| You (pl.) | like |
| They | like |
Past Simple
| I | liked |
| You | liked |
| He / She / It | liked |
| We | liked |
| You (pl.) | liked |
| They | liked |
All the forms of the verb to like
Present Simple
Full pagelike / likes
“I like coffee.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are liking
“I like this song (not I am liking this song).”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pageliked
“I liked the movie.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were liking
“I liked this song (not I was liking this song).”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has liked
“I have always liked this song.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad liked
“I had never liked this song before that day.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill like
“I will like this song tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to like
“I'm going to like this song this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould like
“I would like this song if it were shorter.”
See the pageHow to use to like
1. Enjoying something
- I like pizza.
2. Comparing with like
Here, like means “similar to”. Look like means to be similar to someone when you see them.
- You look like your mum.
A common mistake
1. I am liking pizza ❌
Like is a state verb: it describes a feeling, not an action. State verbs are not normally used in the -ing form. Say I like pizza, not I am liking pizza. The same is true for love, want and know.
Going further
Conjugating to like is a key skill in the English contest
Every year, the Big Challenge tests the key English verbs. Register your students so they can check their level in a real contest.
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Practise on PLAYYou can conjugate to like. Now say it out loud.
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Related pages: like
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of like?+
Like is a regular verb. Its Past Simple and its past participle are both liked: I liked the film a lot.
What is the difference between like and love?+
Like means you enjoy something. Love is stronger: you enjoy it very much. I like apples, but I love strawberries. With a person, love can also mean romantic love: I love you.
Is it like doing or like to do?+
Both are correct: I like cooking and I like to cook. The -ing form is more about enjoying the activity. To + verb is more about a choice or a habit: I like to go to bed early on school nights. The difference is small. After would like, always use to: I'd like to go home.
How do you use like to compare?+
Like can also be a preposition (a small word before a noun). It means “similar to” or “in the same way as”: You look like your father. She sings like a bird. This like is not the verb like (to enjoy).
Why do people say like all the time?+
In casual spoken English, many people (especially young people) use like as a filler word: a word that fills a pause. And I was, like, totally shocked! It is normal in speech, but don't use it in writing or in a formal situation.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/like
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.