III. Grammar: Like and look like explanation
Like can be a verb or a preposition.
Like as a verb can be followed by –ing or to, sometimes with a change in meaning.
I like going out at the weekend, (general enjoyment)
I like to sit in a hot bath and read, (habits and preferences)
Like as a verb has a person as the subject:
I like modern art.
I don't like the way he looks at me.
Do you like fish?
Would you like a drink?
Like as a preposition has an object after it:
She's wearing a hat like mine.
He's nothing like his father.
That sounds like the postman.
You're behaving like children.
This new girlfriend of his - what's she like?
What is/are/was/were ... like? is used to ask about the permanent
nature of people and things. It asks for a description or an impression
or a comparison.
What's the health service like in your country?
What are the new students like?
Be
careful!
1 With a description or an impression, we do not use like in the answer.
What's London like? It's quite big, and it's very interesting.
NOT It's
like quite big... What's
Amanda like?
She's
tall, attractive, and very funny.
NOT She's
like tall...
2 With a comparison, we can use like in the answer. Here, like means similar to / the same as.
What's London like? It's like New York, but without the tall buildings. (= It's similar to ...)
What's Amanda's daughter like?
She's just like Amanda. (= She's the same as ...)
EXPLAINING Future forms
be going to + infinitive present continuous: be+verb + -ing
future plans and intentions future arrangements
My sister's going to adopt a child. We're getting married in October.
Are you going to buy a new car? They're meeting at 10.00.
I'm not going to go to New York next week. She's leaving on Friday.
Use going to NOT will I wont when you You can usually use present continuous
have already decided to do something. or going to for future plans / arrangements.
will I shall + infinitive
I'll have the steak, (instant decision)
I won't tell anybody where you are. (promise)
I’ll carrythat bag for you. (offer)
♦ Use will / won’t (NOT the present simple) for instant decisions, promise, offers, and suggestions.
♦ Use shall (NOT will) with I and we for offers and suggestions when they are questions.
♦ Use will or going to for predictions.
Consolidation of grammar. Circle the correct form. Tick (V) the sentence if both are possible.
(I'm not going)/1 won't go to work tomorrow because it's Saturday.
I'm going to study / I'll study English here next year.
A Shall we / Will we eat out tonight? В Good idea.
We'll go / We're going to Brazil next week. I can't wait.
What are you going to wear / are you wearing to the party?
Do you think it will rain / it's going to rain tomorrow?
A This is heavy. В I'll help / help you.
I'm meeting /1 meet a friend this evening.
I'm really sorry. I promise I won't do / I'm not going to do it again.
They're getting / They're going to get married in May.