#51 - I need to feed Rosie. 🐶 Practice using want, need, like & love

 I need to feed my dog, Rosie.  

What does she want to eat?

 She wants to eat tuna fish.

Does she like tuna fish?

Yes! She loves tuna fish, but she doesn’t need to eat tuna fish for breakfast.

That little conversation we just had about Rosie’s breakfast is a good example using “need” “want” and “like” and “love” in English. 

What do you mean?

Well, I said "I need to feed Rosie." And “She needs to eat her breakfast.” But then I said “She wants tuna fish.” Right! When we use those verbs: need, want, like and love and we are talking about an action we usually use the infinitive form of the verb.

The infinitive form of the verb is the “to” form of the verb.

Can you give us some examples? Sure: “to feed”, “to eat”, “to go”, “to work”, “to speak”

Right! We say “I need to go to class not “I need go to class tomorrow. “

 Or “I like to read.” “I want to buy new shoes.” “I need to speak English every day. “

Yes! When like, need, love and want are followed by an action we use the infinitive form of the verb. It is also correct to use the “ing” form of the verb, too. We’ll talk about that in another episode.  

How about when we use want, need, like or love but we are talking about a thing or things – like a a cup of coffee?

 If I say ”I want a new phone”,  I don’t need the ”to” because a new phone is a thing – a noun, not a verb (or action). We just say “I want a new phone”, but "I need to buy a new phone” because “to  buy” is an action.

or.. “I like the beach“…but “I like to go to the  beach.” 

Right! How about some other examples of using “need”, “want”, “like” or “love” when we talk about a thing or things and when we are talking about an action. 

Sure: Donna loves chocolate chip cookies. Donna loves to make chocolate chip cookies.

We need some eggs. We need to buy some eggs.Most kids like bananas. Many kids like to eat bananas for lunch.

Is that clear, dear listener? 

The “take away” – the thing to remember  is when we like, love, need or want a thing or things, we do not need the “to”.

When we like, love, need or want “to do” an action, we need the “to form” of the verb.

How about a conversation with some examples?

That’s a great idea!

D: I need to go to the mall today, Latonya.

L: Why do you need to go to the mall?

D: Well, I want a new phone.

L: Is your phone broken?

D; No, but it’s 5 years old   I want a newer phone. 

L: So…  you don’t need a new phone, but you want a new phone.  

D: Right! I really don’t want to spend the money, but my husband got new iPhone and he loves it…so of course now I want a new phone too.

L: I get it! Sometimes you just want to buy something even if you don’t really need it.

D: You do get it, Latonya. Well, I need to hang up.  I want to go before the traffic gets bad.

L: OK! Bye!

OK, dear listener, do you remember when to use the “to” form or “infinitive”  form of the verb with like, love, need and want? 

Right!  When you, like, love, need or want  “to do” an action.

Well, we need to go! See you soon!

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