Want vs Would Like
“Want” and “would like to” are two common ways to say that you want to do something in English. At first, they seem very similar, so it’s easy to mix them up. Many people don’t know exactly when to use one or the other. You’ll hear both in daily life, so it’s important to understand how they are the same, how they’re different, and how to use them the right way.
WANT
The verb “want” means to want something. We use it to talk about what we need, hope for, or plan to do — for ourselves or for other people. It can be about things, actions, people, or situations that we want to have or do.
The verb “want” is regular. In the third person (he, she, it), we add -s: He wants, She wants, It wants
In the Present Simple tense, we make questions and negative sentences using the helping verb do or does.
How we use “want”:
“Want” is a stative verb, which means we usually don’t use it in continuous (‑ing) form.
WOULD LIKE
“Would like” means would like to or would like something. It is a polite way to say what you want. People use it when they talk kindly about their wishes, plans, or offers — especially in restaurants, shops, emails, or formal talks. In casual speaking, we often shorten it: I’d like, she’d like, we’d like, etc.
“Would like” is the same for all subjects: I would like, He would like, They would like, etc.
To make questions and negative sentences, we use would. In negative form, we say would not or wouldn’t. In questions, we move would before the subject.
How we use “would like”:
Want vs. Would Like — What’s the Difference?
Would like is a more polite and formal version of want. Here’s a simple comparison to help you see the difference.
| Feature | WANT | WOULD LIKE |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | To want | Would like to |
| Tone | Direct, casual | Polite, formal |
| Use | Everyday talk with family and friends | Restaurants, invitations, emails, offers |
| 3rd Person Form | Adds -s: he wants | No -s: he would like |
| Questions / Negatives | Use do / does | Use would |
| With “to” + verb | We want to go home. | We would like to go home. |
| With noun | I want a coffee. | I’d like a coffee. |
| With person + to + verb | They want us to help them. | They would like us to help them. |
Tone and Context – When to Use Each One
The choice between want and would like depends on how formal or polite you want to sound. Here’s a quick guide:
| I want | ||
| Tone | Example | Use with… | Direct, casual | I want pizza. | Friends, family |
|---|---|---|
| I’d like | ||
| Tone | Example | Use in… | Polite, neutral | I’d like pizza. | Restaurants, emails |
|---|---|---|
| I would like | ||
| Tone | Example | Use in… | Very polite, formal | I would like to order. | Formal writing, job interviews |
|---|---|---|
| I’d love to | ||
| Tone | Example | Use in… | Friendly, enthusiastic | I’d love to join you! | Social settings, invitations |
|---|---|---|
If you’re not sure which one to use, would like is always a safe choice — it works in both formal and informal situations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though want and would like are easy to understand, English learners often make small mistakes when using them. Here are some examples of common errors — and how to fix them:
