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Lucas21c Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
'want to ~' vs 'like to ~'
If I say to a waiter/ress or a flight attendant, "I want to drink a cup of water" or "I like to drink a cup of water" without "please," how does it sound in each case?
Could you tell me what are differences between 'want to ~' and 'like to ~' in terms of nuance or meaning?
(This question is not to know a plolite way to ask, but to know differences between 'want to ~' and 'like to ~.' So, you need not care about a better way to say it, such as "would you like to ~")
Could you tell me what are differences between 'want to ~' and 'like to ~' in terms of nuance or meaning?
(This question is not to know a plolite way to ask, but to know differences between 'want to ~' and 'like to ~.' So, you need not care about a better way to say it, such as "would you like to ~")
Top answer
lucas21c "I want to drink a cup of water" It sounds like you're expressing an urge. lucas21c "I like to drink a cup of water" It sounds like you're telling us about something that you often enjoy.
- lucas21c "I want to drink a cup of water" It sounds like you're expressing an urge.
- lucas21c "I like to drink a cup of water" It sounds like you're telling us about something that you often enjoy.
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6 Answers
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lucas21c"I want to drink a cup of water"It sounds like you're expressing an urge.
lucas21c"I like to drink a cup of water"It sounds like you're telling us about something that you often enjoy.
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Does "I want to drink a cup of water" sound rude? Or, both of them sound rude?
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lucas21cboth of them sound rude?To my ear, yes.
May I suggest, "I'd like a cup of water, please." "May I please have some (a cup of) water?"
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lucas21cIf I say to a waiter/ress or a flight attendant, "I want to drink a cup of water" or "I like to drink a cup of water" without "please," how does it sound in each case?Neither and it sounded foreign to my ear. In natural English I suggest: I would like a glass of water, plea
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Your answer is interesting because, when I said "I want to drink a cup of water" to a flight attendant, I could read her face expressing that I am rude. However, when I said "I like to drink a cup of water," no one make such a face. (So, I prefer 'like to ~' to 'want to ~' when I feel 'would like to ~' is too polite and too formal)
Could you tell me why they differently reacted to what I said?
Could you tell me why they differently reacted to what I said?
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I agree that "like" is less offensive than "want," but the focus should be on the fact that you're making a request, not on an unsolicited announcement of your preferences.
If the attendant begins the conversation, specifically asking about your needs or preferences, then that opens a new door.
Actually, in terms of meaning, "I like to drink a cup of water" is less appropriate
If the attendant begins the conversation, specifically asking about your needs or preferences, then that opens a new door.
Actually, in terms of meaning, "I like to drink a cup of water" is less appropriate
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