What is the difference between ‘What is… like?’ and ‘What does… like?’?

These two questions look similar but have very different meanings.

• 我们使用 What is (someone/something) like? to ask for a general description. This can include personality, character, qualities, or the nature of a place or situation.
• 我们使用 What does (someone) like? to ask about preferences, interests, or things someone enjoys.

How do we use 'like' for physical appearance?

When we want to describe how someone or something looks physically, we use look like.

• This structure focuses only on external appearance.
• It is often followed by a noun or noun phrase.

When do we use 'like' as a preposition?

Like can act as a preposition, meaning 'similar to' or 'in the manner of'.

• It is used to make comparisons between two things.
• It is often followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (verb + -ing).
• 我们还使用 like with sensory verbs such as feel, sound, smell, ， 和 taste to describe how something seems to our senses.

示例

• What's your new boss like? She's very strict but fair.
• What does your new boss like? She likes strong coffee and quiet mornings.
• He looks like his father. They both have blue eyes.
• The weather feels like summer today.
• That music sounds like jazz.
• This soup tastes like chicken.
• She sings like a professional.
• They ran like the wind to catch the bus.
• What was the party like? It was very lively and fun.
• What do you like doing on weekends? I like reading and hiking.

练习

西班牙语母语者常犯的错误

Spanish speakers often make specific mistakes with like:

• 令人困惑 What is... like? 和 What does... like?: 请记住这一点 What is... like? asks for a description (e.g., What is the weather like?), while What does... like? asks about preferences (e.g., What does she like to eat?). Do not use What is she like to eat?
• 使用 as 而不是 like for comparisons: While both can compare, like is a preposition meaning 'similar to' (e.g., He swims like a fish.). As is often a conjunction meaning 'in the way that' (e.g., Do as I say.) or a preposition meaning 'in the role of' (e.g., She works as a teacher.). Do not say He swims as a fish. when you mean 'similar to'.
• Overusing like as a filler word: In informal speech, some native speakers use like as a filler (e.g., It was, like, really good.). Avoid this in formal English or when you are still learning the core uses.

常见问题

Can 'like' be used as a conjunction?

Yes, in informal English, like can sometimes be used as a conjunction meaning 'as if' or 'as though'. For example, It looks like it's going to rain. However, in formal writing, it's better to use as if 或 as though.

What is the difference between 'like' and 'would like'?

Like expresses general preference (e.g., I like pizza.). Would like is a polite way to say 'want' or to make an offer (e.g., I would like a coffee, please. 或 Would you like some tea?).

How is 'like' tested in the B2 First exam?

You might see questions about describing people or situations, or comparing things, especially in Speaking Part 2 (long turn) or Writing tasks. Using like correctly for descriptions and comparisons shows good grammatical control and helps you express yourself clearly, which is important for higher marks.

Can I use 'like' to introduce examples?

是的，你可以使用 like to introduce examples in informal speech and writing, similar to such as 或 for example. 例如，, I enjoy outdoor activities, like hiking and cycling.