Print this chapterPrint this chapter

[Speaking]: Chores I like!

1. UNIT 1 - SPEAKING

1.2. Useful Phrases for Speaking task

To talk about your favorite and "not-so-favorite" household chores, you need to use phrases you express your likes and dislikes. 

To talk about your likes and dislikes, you can use these expressions:

Expressing likes:
- I like…

- I love...
- I adore…
- I'm crazy about…
- I’m mad about…
- I enjoy…
- I’m keen on…

Expressing dislikes:
- I don’t like…
- I dislike...
- I hate…
- I abhor…
- I can’t bear...
- I can’t stand…
- I detest...
- I loathe…

Examples of likes and dislikes:
love moping around the house, but I can’t bear doing the washing-up.

adore cooking, but I loathe cleaning the toilet.

If you neither like nor dislike something:
"I don't mind feeding the cats."

-----------
Things to remember about likes and dislikes:

1. When these expressions are followed by a verb, the latter is put in the -ing form.

Examples:
"I like helping my dad wash the car."

"I hate taking out the garbage."

2. Note that “very much” & “a lot” always come after the things you like.

Examples:
"I like basketball very much/a lot.

NOT “I like very much/a lot basketball.” 

3. Be careful when you use "I don't mind..."
Examples:
"Do you mind ironing the clothes?"
"No, I don't mind."(Although it's in a negative form, it means that it's ok for me. I neither love it nor hate it.)