If “I like it” and “I don’t like it” are the only two phrases in your toolkit, your English sounds flatter than you actually are. Learning natural ways to say I like it in English — and the polite ways to say you don’t — is one of the fastest upgrades a B1 learner can make. Native speakers rarely say “I like it.” They say I’m really into it, it’s not my thing, or I’m obsessed.
This guide gives you more than 50 expressions, sorted by strength and formality, plus the grammar patterns that trip learners up and a script for disagreeing without offending anyone. Everything here comes from what our tutors correct most often in real lessons.
Why “I Like It” Isn’t Enough
Three problems come with over-using one phrase. First, strength: “I like it” sounds identical whether you mean “it’s acceptable” or “it changed my life.” Second, register: “I love it!” in a job interview about a spreadsheet sounds odd. Third, directness: in British and American English, blunt negative opinions feel rude. English speakers soften disagreement heavily — a habit linguists call negative politeness.
The English Vocabulary Profile, built on Cambridge learner data, places phrases like be into something and can’t stand at B1–B2. That means examiners expect them at intermediate level. Using only “I like” caps your speaking score.
Positive Expressions: From Mild to Obsessed
Opinions live on a scale. Pick the rung that matches how you actually feel.
| Strength | Expression | Example | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild | It’s not bad | “The coffee here? It’s not bad.” | Casual |
| Mild | I quite like it | “I quite like his new album.” | Neutral (very British) |
| Mild | It’s growing on me | “I hated jazz, but it’s growing on me.” | Casual |
| Medium | I’m a fan of… | “I’m a big fan of her writing.” | Neutral |
| Medium | I’m into… | “I’m really into rock climbing.” | Casual |
| Medium | I enjoy… | “I enjoy cooking on weekends.” | Neutral/formal |
| Medium | It appeals to me | “That role really appeals to me.” | Formal |
| Strong | I love it | “I love this city.” | Casual/neutral |
| Strong | I’m crazy about… | “She’s crazy about horses.” | Casual |
| Strong | I can’t get enough of it | “I can’t get enough of this show.” | Casual |
| Extreme | I’m obsessed with… | “I’m obsessed with that podcast.” | Very casual |
| Extreme | It’s right up my street/alley | “A history documentary? Right up my alley.” | Idiomatic |
More positive phrases worth stealing
- I’m keen on… — “I’m keen on early starts.” (British, slightly formal)
- I have a soft spot for… — affection you can’t fully justify.
- It’s my cup of tea — usually used in the negative, but positive works ironically.
- I’m hooked — you started and can’t stop.
- I’d highly recommend it — the safest professional compliment.
- It’s brilliant / fantastic / outstanding — adjective route, no “I” needed.
- I’ve taken a liking to… — formal, slightly literary.
- It really speaks to me — emotional, used for art and music.
- I couldn’t be happier with it — perfect for reviews and feedback.
Negative Expressions: How to Say “I Don’t Like It” Politely
Here’s the original insight most textbooks miss: in English, the more you dislike something, the more indirect you usually become — unless you’re with close friends. Strong direct dislike (“I hate it”) is reserved for objects and abstractions, not people’s work, cooking, or ideas.
| Strength | Expression | Safe to use with… |
|---|---|---|
| Very soft | It’s not really my thing | Anyone, including your boss |
| Very soft | It’s not my cup of tea | Anyone (British favourite) |
| Very soft | I’m not the biggest fan of… | Colleagues, new acquaintances |
| Soft | It didn’t quite work for me | Feedback on someone’s work |
| Soft | I’m not too keen on it | Friends, colleagues |
| Medium | I’m not a fan | Friends |
| Medium | It’s not for me | Anyone — polite and final |
| Medium | I don’t really care for it | Formal, slightly old-fashioned |
| Strong | I can’t stand it | Friends and family |
| Strong | It drives me up the wall | Friends (about annoyances) |
| Very strong | I hate it / I loathe it | Close friends; never about a person’s effort |
| Very strong | It’s not worth the hype | Casual opinions on trends |
The softening formula
Native speakers rarely deliver a negative opinion naked. They wrap it. Use this three-part structure and you will sound fluent immediately:
- Acknowledge — “I can see why people love it, but…”
- Hedge — “…it’s not really my thing” (add really, quite, the biggest).
- Redirect — “…I tend to prefer something quieter.”
Compare: “I don’t like it” versus “I can see why people love it, but it’s not really my thing — I tend to prefer acoustic stuff.” Same message, completely different social outcome.
Grammar Patterns That Learners Get Wrong
Vocabulary fails without the right structure. These four patterns cause most errors we correct in class.
| Pattern | Correct | Common error |
|---|---|---|
| like + -ing (general enjoyment) | I like swimming. | |
| like + to + verb (habit/choice) | I like to check email early. | |
| be into + noun/-ing | She’s into photography. | |
| would like ≠ like | I’d like a coffee. (want, now) | |
| can’t stand + -ing | I can’t stand waiting. | |
| enjoy + -ing only | I enjoy reading. |
One more: How do you like it? asks for an opinion, not a degree of liking. Answer with “It’s great” — not “Very much.”
Sounding Natural in Real Conversations
Phrases only work in context. Here are three situations and the expressions that fit them.
At work (feedback on a colleague’s proposal)
- Positive: “I’m really impressed with this — the second section especially appeals to me.”
- Negative: “The concept is strong. The timeline didn’t quite work for me, though.”
With friends (a new restaurant)
- Positive: “Honestly? I’m obsessed. I can’t get enough of their noodles.”
- Negative: “It’s not my cup of tea — a bit overpriced for what it is.”
In an exam (IELTS or Cambridge speaking)
Examiners reward range. Instead of “I like reading,” say: “I’m quite keen on historical fiction — I’ve got a real soft spot for anything set in the nineteenth century.” That single sentence shows two idiomatic phrases and a hedge. The Cambridge English assessment criteria list lexical resource as a scored band, so this genuinely moves your mark.
How to Actually Remember These Phrases
Reading a list changes nothing. Try this five-day method our tutors use in 2026:
- Day 1: Pick five phrases only — two positive, two negative, one hedge.
- Day 2: Write one true sentence about your own life for each.
- Day 3: Say them aloud while recording yourself; check stress on the key word (“It’s not really my thing”).
- Day 4: Use three of them in a real message or conversation.
- Day 5: Swap in five new phrases and repeat.
Five phrases a week gets you the whole list in about ten weeks — and you’ll actually use them. Pair this with our guides to natural English conversation starters and small talk phrases that work anywhere, and practise them alongside the most common English idioms. If exams are your goal, our IELTS speaking preparation tips show where opinion language earns points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a more natural way to say “I like it” in English?
Match the phrase to your feeling. For mild approval say “It’s not bad” or “I quite like it.” For genuine enthusiasm use “I’m really into it,” “I’m a big fan,” or “I love it.” For strong excitement, “I’m obsessed with it” works in casual speech. Native speakers vary the strength rather than repeating one phrase.
How do you politely say you don’t like something?
Use a soft, indirect phrase: “It’s not really my thing,” “It’s not my cup of tea,” or “I’m not the biggest fan.” Add an acknowledgement first — “I can see why people love it, but…” — and follow with what you prefer instead. This keeps the conversation friendly, which matters in British and American workplaces.
Is it “I like swimming” or “I like to swim”?
Both are correct. “I like swimming” describes general enjoyment of the activity. “I like to swim” leans toward a habit or a choice you make, as in “I like to swim before work.” In British English, the -ing form is far more common for hobbies.
What does “it’s not my cup of tea” actually mean?
It means something doesn’t suit your personal taste — with no criticism implied. It’s one of the politest ways to decline or disagree in English, common in the UK and widely understood elsewhere. You can say it about music, films, food, or activities without offending anyone.
Start Using These Today
The difference between intermediate and advanced English is rarely grammar — it’s precision. Knowing several ways to say I like it in English, and knowing which one fits the room, is exactly that kind of precision. Choose five phrases from the tables above, use them this week, and your speaking will sound noticeably more natural.
Want feedback on how you actually sound? Book a lesson with a Cognitio tutor and practise these expressions in real conversation — you’ll get corrections on tone, stress, and register that no word list can give you.