Like

We use the First Conditional to talk about future events that are likely to happen.

You probably know that the verb like can be followed by either the -ing form or by an infinitive.

• I like going to the cinema
• I like to see all the latest movies.

Often these two forms mean exactly the same thing but there can be a difference between them. When we use like to there is an ide that we think is is a good idea, even if not pleasant, and it is probably a regular action.

• I like to visit the dentist twice a year.
• I like my children to be in bed by nine.
• I like to keep fit.

We use would like to to make polite offers and requests.

• Would you like to have lunch one day next week?
• I'd like to have your opinion.

Used as a preposition, like often means 'similar' or 'typical'..

• Like me, you probably are a bit shocked by his behaviour.
• What is Harry like? Is he conceited?
• You look like you need to sit down.
• I want to do something exciting - like bungee jumping.
• It is just like him to be late.

In informal American English, like is used to mean 'as if'. (Some people think it is 'incorrect'  but you will certainly hear it a lot.)

• I feel like I am a princess.
• It was like I was back in the sixties.

Don't confuse that with feel like meaning 'a desire to do someting'.

• I feel like going out for a meal.
• I don't feel like driving any more today.

Unusually for a preposition, like can have the adverbs quite or rather in front of it.

• It is quite like old times.
• It is rather like it was before we had computers.

Here are some useful phrases using like.

Come when you like.

• You are always welcome. Come when you like.

Do as you like.

• It is entirely your choice. Do as you like.

If you like is used to make suggestions.

• We could go later, if you like.

Like this is used when you are demonstrating something.

• You put the paper in here like this.

Eat like a horse means to eat in large quantities.

• Kate eats like a horse but she never seems to put on any weight.

Feel like a million means that you feel really good.

• I have met a new girl. I feel like a million.

Go like clockwork means that it happens without problems.

• The launch of the new product went like clockwork.

Like a bat out of hell means very fast.

• He drove like a bat out of hell. I was scared.

Like a fish out of water means that the person does not fit in at all.

• He knows a lot about accounting but he is like a fish out of water in marketing.

If something sells like hot cakes, it sells really well.

• The new iphone is selling like hot cakes.

If you go out like a light, you fall asleep immediately.

• He was so tired that he went out like a light when he lay on the sofa.

If you sleep well, you sleep like a log.

• I slept really well.  I slept like a log.

If you watch like a hawk, you watch really closely.

• I didn't trust him so I watched him like a hawk for the whole time he was here. He didn't do anything wrong.

If news spreads like wildfire,  everybody hears it very quickly.

• Reports of their argument spread like wildfire through the company.