to feel like (doing) something

Question

Hi,Examples:He didn't feel like going to work. (A)Do you feel like another drink? (B)(1) What part of speech is "like" in the examples above? I guess it is a verb?(2) Would it be correct to say that A and B are (in a way :-) just the contracted forms ofHe didn't feel that he liked going to work. (A)Do you feel that you like another drink? (B)mus-te

Cool Breeze · Accepted Answer

like–prep.
7. in like manner with; similarly to; in the manner characteristic of: He works like a beaver.
8. resembling (someone or something): He is just like his father. Your necklace is just like mine.
9. characteristic of: It would be like him to forget our appointment.
10. as if there is promise of; indicative of: It looks like rain.
11. as if someone or something gives promise of being: She looks like a good prospect for the job.
12. disposed or inclined to (usually prec. by feel): to feel like going to bed.
13. similar or comparable to: There is nothing like a cold drink of water when one is thirsty. What was he like?
14. (used correlatively to indicate similarity through relationship): like father, like son.
15. (used to establish an intensifying, often facetious, comparison): sleeping like a log.
16. as; such as: There are numerous hobbies you might enjoy, like photography or painting.
17. like anything, Informal. very much; extremely; with great intensity: He wanted like anything to win.
RHUD

My dictionary considers like a preposition in your sentence. Your alternate versions sound wrong to my ear.

CB

MUSCOVITE · Answer

So the bottom line is that the construct TO FEEL LIKE DOING SMTH is not subject to splitting into smaller parts :-) ... and it was a bad idea for me to try to make it look more a la Russe :-)

Mister Micawber · Answer

MUSCOVITE the construct TO FEEL LIKE DOING SMTH is not subject to splitting into smaller parts

Of course, you can use a noun: He felt like a drink.

MUSCOVITE · Answer

Mister MicawberHe felt like a drink.

Thanks for this example, MM!

I thought the construct TO FEEL LIKE (DOING) SOMETHING (*) was mostly used in negative and interrogative contexts.
"How common" is to use (*) in affirmative sentences like yours?

Mister Micawber · Answer

MUSCOVITE"How common" is to use (*) in affirmative sentences like yours?

Oh, I feel like a drink every day about 7 PM.

I would guess the affirmative and interrogative of the whole construct are just as common as the negative.

to feel like (doing) something

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