La respuesta rápida

Usa like para una preferencia general que siempre es cierta, como el café o el fútbol. Usa would like (a menudo 'd like) para un deseo concreto o una petición cortés en este momento, como pedir algo.

La regla

Like y would like hablan de cosas que queremos, pero responden preguntas distintas. Like responde "¿Qué es cierto en general?": I like tea significa que el té es una de mis preferencias habituales. Would like responde "¿Qué quieres ahora?": I would like a tea significa que estoy pidiendo un té cortésmente en este momento.

Forma

Ejemplos

• I like coffee. I drink it every morning.
• I would like a coffee, please.
• She likes chocolate cake.
• She would like a piece of cake now.
• Would you like some help?

Errores frecuentes

• ❌ I would like coffee every day. → ✅ I like coffee every day. Un hábito diario usa like.
• ❌ I would like go home. → ✅ I would like to go home. Se añade to antes del verbo.
• ❌ You would like a coffee? → ✅ Would you like a coffee? En preguntas, would va delante.
• ❌ She would likes tea. → ✅ She would like tea. Would like no cambia con he, she o it.