Quick answer: Like expresses a general positive feeling or preference: I like jazz. Enjoy specifically means to experience pleasure from an activity or thing, often in the present moment: I’m enjoying this concert. Both verbs are followed by gerunds, but only like can be followed by an infinitive to mean preference. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘enjoy’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Meaning | Followed by | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| like | general preference / positive feeling | gerund or infinitive | I like swimming. / I like to swim. |
| enjoy | active pleasure in the moment | gerund or noun (not infinitive) | I enjoy swimming. / I enjoyed the film. |
Understanding Like
Like is the broader, more general term. It describes a stable positive attitude towards something — a preference that exists regardless of whether you are doing it right now. It can be followed by a gerund (I like cooking) or an infinitive (I like to cook). Both are correct, though the infinitive often implies a habit or choice.
I like classical music.
She likes to read before bed.
Do you like spicy food?
I like being outdoors.
Would Like
Would like (+ infinitive) is a polite way to express a wish: “I would like to book a table.” This is very different from like as a preference. You would not use would enjoy in the same polite-request pattern.
Understanding Enjoy
Enjoy describes actively experiencing pleasure from something. It often implies you are doing it now or you did it at a specific time. Enjoy must be followed by a gerund or a noun — never an infinitive. This is the most common error learners make.
I enjoyed the concert last night.
Are you enjoying the party?
She enjoys cooking for her family.
We really enjoyed ourselves on holiday.
Common Mistakes
✗ I enjoy to swim. (enjoy cannot be followed by a to-infinitive)
✓ I enjoy swimming. or I like to swim.
✗ I liked the film very much last night. (not wrong, but enjoy is more natural for a specific experience)
✓ I enjoyed the film very much last night.
✗ I would enjoy a table for two, please.
✓ I would like a table for two, please. (would like is the polite request formula)
Also compare: Hope vs Wish, Interested vs Interesting, Bored vs Boring. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Enjoy or Like?
Four questions — choose the correct word.
1. “Are you ___ the party?” (right now)
2. “I ___ to read before bed.” (general habit)
3. “We really ___ the concert last night.”
4. “I would ___ a coffee, please.” (polite request)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between enjoy and like?
Like expresses a general positive feeling or preference. Enjoy describes actively experiencing pleasure from something, often in the present moment or at a specific time.
Can enjoy be followed by an infinitive?
No — enjoy must be followed by a gerund (verb + -ing) or a noun: “I enjoy swimming” / “I enjoyed the meal.” “I enjoy to swim” is a common learner error.
Can like be followed by an infinitive?
Yes. Both “I like swimming” and “I like to swim” are correct. The infinitive often suggests a habit or conscious choice: “I like to check my email first thing in the morning.”
Can I use “liking” as a continuous form?
Like is a stative verb and is not normally used in continuous tenses: “Are you liking it?” is non-standard. Use “Do you like it?” However, enjoy works in continuous form: “Are you enjoying it?”
What does “enjoy yourself” mean?
“Enjoy yourself” is a reflexive phrase meaning to have a good time: “Enjoy yourself at the party!” There is no equivalent reflexive form of like.
How is “would like” different from “like”?
“Would like” + infinitive expresses a polite wish or request: “I would like to speak to the manager.” It does not describe a general preference; it is equivalent to “want” in a polite register.
Is “I liked the party” wrong?
Not wrong, but “I enjoyed the party” is more natural when describing a specific event you attended. Enjoy is preferred for in-the-moment or past experiences.
Can enjoy be used without an object?
Not easily in standard English. “Enjoy!” as an informal farewell is sometimes heard, but enjoy typically needs an object or reflexive pronoun: “Enjoy the show!” / “Enjoy yourself!”
Can I say “I enjoy to play tennis”?
No. This is incorrect. The correct forms are “I enjoy playing tennis” (gerund) or “I like to play tennis” / “I like playing tennis.”
Which is stronger — enjoy or like?
Enjoy typically implies a stronger, more active experience of pleasure. Like can range from mild preference to strong approval. To express great enthusiasm, you could use love with either pattern: “I love swimming” / “I love to swim.”