like
part of speech
verb (like, likes, liked, liking); preposition (like); conjunction (like — informal); noun (likes); adverb and filler (like — casual)
meaning for a pupil
1) To like something is to enjoy it or think it is good. tree →
2) «Would like» is a polite way to say you want something. tree →
3) Like (preposition) means similar to or the same as: she sings like a bird. tree →
4) Like means for example: fruit like apples and pears. tree →
5) A like is a click that shows you enjoy a post online. tree →
6) (casual) Like is a filler word that fills a pause or softens: «it was, like, huge». tree →
7) (casual) Like means about or roughly before a number: «like 20 people came» means about 20. tree →
8) (casual) «Be like» reports what someone said or did: «and she's like, no way». tree →
9) (rough, UK) «Like» at the end of a sentence just adds weight: «I was only joking, like.» tree →
10) (formal) «Akin to», «in the manner of» and «would wish to» are stiff ways to say like. tree →
sense in the lessons
In maths it comes in surveys («how many like apples») that sort groups to add or compare, and in «like terms» in algebra. «Would like» names what is wanted, not what is had. In everyday life: «What is it like?» asks for a description; «look like», «feel like», «likes and dislikes». In stories it makes comparisons (similes): as quiet as a mouse, ran like the wind. In casual talk «like 20» is an estimate, not an exact number. In the exam voice: «Determine the number of respondents expressing a preference for apples.» Phrases: «feel like», «look like», «would like», «like this», «and the like».
examples
- In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard. (Torah EXO.23.11, JPS 1917) tree →
- The deeps cover them — they went down into the depths like a stone. (Torah EXO.15.5, JPS 1917) tree →
- Let me die the death of the righteous, and let mine end be like his! (Torah NUM.23.10, JPS 1917) tree →
- Art thou become like unto us? (Prophets ISA.14.10, JPS 1917) tree →
- Or hast thou an arm like God? (Writings JOB.40.9, JPS 1917) tree →
- How long will Thy jealousy burn like fire? (Writings PSA.79.5, JPS 1917) tree →
- 12 pupils like apples and 8 like pears. tree →
- How many more like apples? tree →
- She would like 3 more stickers. tree →
- He has as many cards as Tom, like his brother. tree →
- I like reading comics in bed. tree →
- What would you like for lunch? tree →
- The cloud looks like a dragon. tree →
- Bring things like hats and sunscreen to the beach. tree →
- there was like 20 kids at the party, it was, like, mad (casual) tree →
- and she's like «give me 3 back» and i'm like «no way» (casual) tree →
- I don't like your attitude, so shut it. (rough) tree →
- Of the 20 respondents, 12 expressed a preference for apples; state the number who did not. (formal exam) tree →
- Would you like to hear it? tree →
note
«Like» + -ing or «to»: I like swimming, I like to swim. Do not say «I am liking it» for a lasting taste. «What is he like?» asks about his character; «What does he like?» asks about his tastes. In speech «like» is often a filler word (it was, like, huge) and means nothing. Maths trap: «like» never means add on its own; «would like» is a wish, not an amount owned. Trap: casual «like 20» means about 20 — if an exact answer is needed, look for the exact number. «She's like…» reports speech, not a comparison. Formal «expressed a preference for» = liked.
In the corpora
- He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; wherefore it is said: 'Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the LORD.'
- And the first came forth ruddy, all over like a hairy mantle; and they called his name Esau.
- (8-3) And the magicians did in like manner with their secret arts, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.
- The deeps cover them — they went down into the depths like a stone.
- In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «like» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.