✅ Corrected (C1)

Hi, your answer is exactly what I needed, and I’d like to save it on my WordPress website. It’s not very important, but if possible, could you rewrite it in a format that’s more suitable for a blog post? If not, that’s completely fine too.

✅ WordPress-Ready Article Version

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“I Like Reading” vs “I Like to Read” — What’s the Difference?

Many English learners ask whether there is a real difference between:

  • I like reading

  • I like to read

The good news is that both are correct. In most everyday situations, they mean almost the same thing. However, there is a small but interesting difference in focus.

Let’s look at it clearly and simply.

✅ “I Like Reading” — Enjoying the Activity in General

When you say “I like reading”, you are talking about:

  • A general habit

  • A regular hobby

  • An activity you enjoy as a concept

Examples:

  • I like reading before bed.

  • She likes swimming in the sea.

  • They like travelling alone.

Here, the focus is on the activity itself.

✅ “I Like to Read” — Enjoying the Choice or Preference

When you say “I like to read”, the meaning is very similar, but the focus is slightly different:

  • A personal preference

  • A conscious choice

  • Something you choose to do in certain situations

Examples:

  • I like to read in the evening.

  • He likes to work late.

  • She likes to be alone sometimes.

Here, the focus is more on the decision.

✅ Is There a Big Difference?

In real life, the difference is very subtle. Native speakers often use both forms interchangeably.

Compare:

  • I like reading books. → Reading is your hobby.

  • I like to read before sleep. → This is your evening habit.

Both sound completely natural.

✅ Important Grammar Rule (Very Useful!)

After the verb “like”, you cannot use a bare verb.

❌ I like read books
✅ I like reading books
✅ I like to read books

You must always use either:

  • Verb + -ing

  • OR to + verb

✅ When Does the Meaning Really Change?

With some verbs, the difference between -ing and to + verb is very important:

  • I stopped smoking → I quit.

  • I stopped to smoke → I stopped walking in order to smoke.

With like, love, hate, prefer, the meaning usually stays the same.

✅ More Natural Alternatives (C1 Level)

Instead of repeating “I like reading” all the time, you can also say:

  • I enjoy reading.

  • I’m really into reading lately.

  • I have a strong preference for reading nonfiction.

  • I like to read when I need to clear my head.

✅ Final Summary

  • ✅ I like reading → Focus on the activity

  • ✅ I like to read → Focus on the preference

  • ✅ In most cases, both are correct

  • ❌ I like read → Always incorrect

"Why are you wearing those gloves? ~ My hands are cold."
Why "those" and not "these"?

✅ Sentence:

"Why are you wearing those gloves?" – "My hands are cold."

You're asking why “those” is used instead of “these.”

👀 What's the difference between these and those?

Word Use for… Distance Example
These Plural Close to the speaker "These books are on my desk."
Those Plural Farther from the speaker "Those books are on the shelf."

🧤 In your sentence:

Even though the person is wearing the gloves, the speaker might still say “those gloves” for one of these reasons:

✅ 1. They are not the speaker’s gloves

The speaker is talking about something someone else is wearing. English often uses those when referring to something another person has on, even if it’s physically close.

📌 “Those shoes look great on you.”
✅ Even though the shoes are close to the other person, they are not mine, so I use “those.”

✅ 2. Small emotional or psychological distance

Sometimes “those” can show a bit of emotional distance, curiosity, or even judgment:

“Why are you wearing those gloves?”
= “What’s going on with those strange gloves you’re wearing?”

So it's not about physical distance only—it can also reflect ownership or tone.

🧠 Summary

  • Use these when you talk about your own or something very close you’re touching or holding.

  • Use those when referring to something someone else is wearing or holding, or to create a small emotional distance.

🗨️ Example comparison:

"Why are you wearing these gloves?"
✅ This would sound like you’re talking about your own gloves (maybe you’re holding or taking them off).

"Why are you wearing those gloves?"
✅ Sounds like you’re asking someone about their gloves—normal and natural in conversation.

My Learning: Grammar – 2
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