like reading a book vs like to read a book

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Like reading a book' is used to describe a general enjoyment or preference for reading, while 'like to read a book' is used to express a specific desire or intention to read a book.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 963 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a general enjoyment or preference for reading.

"like reading a book"

This phrase is used to describe the act of reading a book in general, without specifying a particular book or time frame.

Examples:

I like reading a book before going to bed.
She enjoys like reading a book on a rainy day.
He spends his weekends like reading a book in the park.
Like reading a book is a great way to relax.
They all like reading a book in their free time.

Show examples from the web [+]

Like reading a book to a cow
Which became like reading a book you've read before.
It's like reading a book on gardening when all you've got to do is get dirt underneath your fingernails.

Alternatives:

enjoy reading a book
love reading a book
prefer reading a book
find pleasure in reading a book
take pleasure in reading a book

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a specific desire or intention to read a book.

"like to read a book"

This phrase is used to express a particular desire or intention to read a book, indicating a specific book or time frame.

Examples:

I like to read a book before I go to sleep.
She likes to read a book on weekends.
He would like to read a book by his favorite author.
I like to read a book that makes me think.
They like to read a book together as a family.

Show examples from the web [+]

Not like you to read a book.
It's like trying to read a book and someone keeps ripping out the pages.
It's like... trying to read a book where one chapter was written in Chinese, one in cyrillic and another in hieroglyphics and then the pages are fed through a shredder and pasted back together.
I'd like to read a passage from a book that talks about the impact of a single tree -
I can only assume the driver stopped off halfway round to read a book.
I tried to read a book.
He managed to read a book written in French.
I just can't focus enough to read a book.
- Not to read a book.
But she wouldn't have come to read a book.
Sometimes it's great to read a book, just to read a book.
When I was a little girl, my dad used to read the paper every Sunday, and my mom would read a book nearby.
Other than the fact that he likes to read books.
I like to read books - you know, the ones without pictures.
Gina got really nervous, and she told me to read a book.
- I've got to read a book.
Horrified by the prospect of actually having to read a book,
I guess there's no literal translation, But it helps to read a book you already know in English.
It's already time for us to read a book together.
The thing is, you can't really pretend to read a book.

Alternatives:

want to read a book
intend to read a book
desire to read a book
plan to read a book
wish to read a book

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like reading a book vs like to read a book