Imagine a world where we can’t express our likes and dislikes. What a dull and monotonous life it would be, wouldn’t it? Expressing our preferences is part of our daily communication, whether it’s choosing a meal, selecting a movie, or simply expressing our taste in music. It’s our likes and dislikes that add color and personality to our conversations. This is why learning English collocations related to Liking and Disliking is so essential.
Here are 43 commonly used English collocations that will help you express your feelings more eloquently:
1. Have a preference for: To like something more than something else.
Example: I have a preference for dark chocolate over milk chocolate.
2. Can’t stand: To hate something.
Example: I can’t stand it when people are late.
3. Be partial to: To like something a lot.
Example: I’m partial to Italian cuisine.
4. Take a liking to: To start to like something or someone.
Example: He took a liking to playing the piano.
5. Develop a taste for: To begin to like something.
Example: She has developed a taste for classical music.
6. Be indifferent to: To have no interest or sympathy.
Example: He seems indifferent to other people’s suffering.
7. Be fond of: To like or love very much.
Example: I’ve always been fond of this little town.
8. Have an aversion to: To dislike something very much.
Example: I have an aversion to spiders.
9. Take delight in: To get a lot of satisfaction from something.
Example: She takes delight in helping others.
10. Loathe: To hate someone or something.
Example: I loathe doing housework.
11. Be to one’s liking: To be what someone likes.
Example: This style of clothing is to my liking.
12. Have a soft spot for: To feel that you like someone very much.
Example: I have a soft spot for my youngest niece.
13. Abhor: To hate something for moral reasons.
Example: I abhor violence in any form.
14. Grow on: To become more liked over time.
Example: This song is really growing on me.
15. Fall for: To start to love someone.
Example: He fell for her the moment he saw her.
16. Object to: To disapprove of something.
Example: I object to your tone of voice.
17. Detest: To hate someone or something very much.
Example: I detest being late.
18. Be mad about: To be very enthusiastic about something.
Example: She’s mad about soccer.
19. Be crazy about: To be very enthusiastic about something.
Example: He’s crazy about video games.
20. Despise: To feel a strong dislike for someone or something.
Example: I despise cheating.
21. Can’t bear: To hate something.
Example: I can’t bear the heat in the summer.
22. Have no interest in: To not care about or want to do something.
Example: I have no interest in politics.
23. Revel in: To get great pleasure from a situation.
Example: She revels in her role as a mother.
24. Admire: To find someone or something attractive and pleasant to look at.
Example: I’ve always admired her courage.
25. Appreciate: To be grateful for something.
Example: I appreciate your help.
26. Savor: To enjoy an experience, activity, or feeling as much as you can.
Example: I’m savoring every moment of my vacation.
27. Disapprove of: To not approve or agree with something.
Example: I disapprove of his behavior.
28. Be hooked on: To be addicted to something.
Example: She’s hooked on coffee.
29. Be passionate about: To have a very strong feeling or interest.
Example: He’s passionate about wildlife conservation.
30. Be captivated by: To be very attracted to something or someone.
Example: I was captivated by her beauty.
31. Be enchanted by: To be attracted to something in a powerful way.
Example: She was enchanted by the gorgeous sunset.
32. Disdain: To regard something as unworthy of one’s consideration.
Example: He disdains all forms of exercise.
33. Be obsessed with: To constantly think about something.
Example: She’s obsessed with fashion.
34. Cherish: To love, protect, and care for someone or something that is important to you.
Example: I cherish the time we spend together.
35. Dismiss: To decide that something is not important and not worth considering.
Example: He dismissed my advice.
36. Take pleasure in: To enjoy doing something.
Example: She takes pleasure in painting.
37. Scorn: To show contempt or disdain towards something or someone.
Example: She scorned his attempts to help.
38. Crave: To have a very strong desire for something.
Example: I crave a good night’s sleep.
39. Yearn for: To have a strong desire for something.
Example: He yearns for a sense of belonging.
40. Have a penchant for: To have a liking for.
Example: She has a penchant for spicy food.
41. Dread: To be afraid or anxious about something that will happen.
Example: I dread going to the dentist.
42. Fancy: To feel like doing or having something.
Example: I fancy a walk in the park.
43. Enjoy: To get pleasure from something.
Example: I enjoy reading.
Understanding and using these Liking and Disliking collocations will enhance your ability to express your preferences clearly and confidently. Make them part of your everyday English and watch as conversations become more exciting and personal!
