English grammar
I'd like to...: polite requests
Book a hotel room politely on the phone.
From the scene I would like to book a room
In short
Ask politely with I'd like to + verb. For someone else, say I'd like you to + verb.
Your turn
Which one goes with very polite question opener?
Options: I'd like (I would like) · I'd like you to call me (not: that you call me) · I was wondering...
Show answer
very polite question opener → I was wondering...
How it works
I'd like (I would like) + to + verb sounds much more polite than I want: I'd like to book a room.
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Perfect. (blank) both rooms for August.
Clue: a polite request followed straight by a noun
Options: I would · I'd like to · I'd like
Show answer
Perfect. I'd like both rooms for August.
Perfecto. Querría las dos habitaciones para agosto.
Good to know
I was wondering... makes a question even softer.
Good to know
To ask someone else to do something, say I'd like you to + verb: I'd like you to send me… Never put that + a sentence after like: not "I would like that you send me".
polite want I'd like (I would like)
Nuria
Good morning. I'd like to book a room.
Buenos días. Quería reservar una habitación.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Good morning. (blank) to book a room.
Options: I'd like · I was wondering · I'd like you to call me
Show answer
Nuria
Good morning. I'd like to book a room.
Buenos días. Quería reservar una habitación.
very polite question opener I was wondering...
Nuria
I was wondering: is breakfast included?
Quería saber una cosa: ¿el desayuno está incluido?
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank): is breakfast included?
Options: I'd like you to call me · I was wondering · I'd like
Show answer
Nuria
I was wondering: is breakfast included?
Quería saber una cosa: ¿el desayuno está incluido?
asking someone to do it I'd like you to call me (not: that you call me)
a double / a single room a double / a single
Nuria
A double, please. And I'd also like a single.
Doble, por favor. Y quería también una individual.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank), please. And I'd also like a single.
Options: A double · I'd like · I was wondering
Show answer
Nuria
A double, please. And I'd also like a single.
Doble, por favor. Y quería también una individual.
Common mistake
Not I'd liking or I would here. A polite wish, followed by to + verb.
Good morning. I'd like to book a room.
Buenos días. Quería reservar una habitación.
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| polite want | I'd like (I would like) |
|---|---|
| very polite question opener | I was wondering... |
| asking someone to do it | I'd like you to call me (not: that you call me) |
| a double / a single room | a double / a single |
More lines from the story
- NuriaI'm going to call the hotel to book.Voy a llamar al hotel para reservar.
- NuriaPerfect. I'd like both rooms for August.Perfecto. Querría las dos habitaciones para agosto.
- NuriaYes. A double for us and the single next door.Sí. Una doble para nosotros y la individual al lado.