Use of “I Don’t Like” + Noun and Verb-ing in English Speaking

“I don’t like” is a very common expression used to talk about things, people, activities, or situations that you dislike. In everyday English, we use “I don’t like + noun” when talking about a thing or person, and “I don’t like + verb-ing” when talking about an activity. This structure is useful in daily conversations at home, school, work, and while traveling. For example, you can say, “I don’t like spicy food” or “I don’t like waiting in long lines.” Learning this pattern helps you express your opinions clearly and naturally in spoken English. It is simple, practical, and used by native speakers every day.

◎ Important Points

  • Use I don’t like + noun for things, people, places, or objects.
  • Use I don’t like + verb-ing for activities and actions.
  • Always use don’t with I.
  • The verb after “don’t like” becomes verb + ing when talking about activities.
  • Use this structure to express dislikes politely.
  • It is commonly used in everyday conversations.
  • Do not use the base verb directly after “I don’t like” when talking about activities.

Sentence Structure: Subject + don’t like + noun / verb-ing

Example: I don’t like eating late at night.

Main Concept:
Use noun after “I don’t like” to talk about things. Use verb-ing after “I don’t like” to talk about activities.

Speaking Tip:
Practice talking about your likes and dislikes every day to sound more natural in conversations.

Common MistakeWrong ExampleCorrect Example
Using base verb instead of verb-ingI don’t like eat fast.I don’t like eating fast.
Missing “don’t”I like not spicy food.I don’t like spicy food.
Wrong verb formI don’t like to waiting.I don’t like waiting.
Using noun incorrectlyI don’t like play football.I don’t like playing football.
Incorrect subject-verb patternI doesn’t like coffee.I don’t like coffee.
  1. I don’t like spicy food.
  2. I don’t like waking up early.
  3. I don’t like noisy places.
  4. I don’t like working on weekends.
  5. I don’t like waiting for buses.
  6. I don’t like cold weather.
  7. I don’t like driving in heavy traffic.
  8. I don’t like watching horror movies.
  9. I don’t like rude people.
  10. I don’t like studying late at night.

A. Fill in the Blanks

  1. I don’t like ________ (wait) in long lines.
  2. I don’t like ________ food.
  3. I don’t like ________ (drive) at night.
  4. I don’t like ________ people.
  5. I don’t like ________ (wake) up early.

B. Change Incorrect Sentence to Correct One

  1. I don’t like eat vegetables.
  2. I doesn’t like coffee.
  3. I don’t like to waiting.
  4. I don’t like play cricket.
  5. I don’t like wake up late.

C. Speak These Sentences Aloud

  1. I don’t like traveling alone.
  2. I don’t like eating junk food.
  3. I don’t like crowded markets.
  4. I don’t like working late.
  5. I don’t like watching scary movies.

D. Make Your Own Sentences

  1. I don’t like __________________.
  2. I don’t like __________________.
  3. I don’t like __________________.
  4. I don’t like __________________.
  5. I don’t like __________________.

E. Daily Speaking Practice

  1. Say one food you don’t like.
  2. Say one activity you don’t like doing.
  3. Say one place you don’t like visiting.
  4. Say one habit you don’t like.
  5. Say one thing you don’t like at work or school.
I plan to + verb

Alok Kumar is an educational content creator, YouTuber, and English speaker dedicated to helping learners grow with clarity and confidence. Through his engaging videos and easy-to-understand teaching style, he simplifies complex topics and makes learning accessible to a wide audience.