I’d Like… (Polite Requests)

Hook

You’re at a café. “Give me a coffee” is correct grammar but sounds rude. English has short, polite patterns for asking and offering: I’d like…, Could I have…? and Would you like…?

Notice

  • I’d like a coffee, please.
  • I’d like some water, please.
  • Could I have the menu, please?
  • Would you like some tea? — Yes, please. / No, thank you.
  • I’d like to pay by card, please.

What is the long form of I’d?

Rule

  • I’d like = I would like: a polite way to say I want. I’d like + a/an/some + noun: I’d like a sandwich. I’d like some soup.
  • I’d like to + verb: I’d like to order. I’d like to book a table.
  • Could I have…? = a polite request: Could I have the bill, please?
  • Would you like…? = an offer: Would you like some cake? Answer: Yes, please. / No, thank you.
Less politePolite
I want a tea.I’d like a tea, please.
Give me the bill.Could I have the bill, please?
You want coffee?Would you like some coffee?

Watch Out

  • ✗ I like a coffee, please. → ✓ I’d like a coffee, please. (“I like” = I enjoy it in general)
  • ✗ Would you like some tea? — Yes, I would like. → ✓ Yes, please.
  • ✗ I’d like order. → ✓ I’d like to order. (I’d like to + verb)

Practice

  1. Complete: I ___ like a glass of water, please.
  2. Complete: ___ you like some cake?
  3. Make it polite: “Give me the bill.”
  4. Make it polite: “I want a tea.”
  5. a or some? I’d like ___ apple.
  6. a or some? I’d like ___ rice.
  7. Accept: “Would you like some juice?”
  8. Refuse politely: “Would you like some cake?”
Show the answers
  1. ‘d / would
  2. Would
  3. Could I have the bill, please?
  4. I’d like a tea, please.
  5. an
  6. some
  7. Yes, please.
  8. No, thank you.

Your Turn

Write six polite sentences you could use in a café: three with I’d like…, two with Could I have…? and one offer with Would you like…?. Say them out loud.

Connect

Practise saying key phrases like “I’d like…” clearly with our Pronunciation Practice.

Try Pronunciation Practice →

Build polite requests in the right order with our Sentence Builder.

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CEFR A1 — Spoken Interaction: I can make simple requests and offers, and ask for things politely in shops and cafés.

Azizul Hakim
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