had like to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had like to" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a mistaken combination of "would like to" or "had hoped to." Example: "I had like to attend the concert, but I couldn't make it."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Would I have liked to?

The New York Times

I would have liked to say goodbye.

The New Yorker

He would have liked to make films.

The New Yorker

"I would've liked to have it.

The New York Times

Would have liked to have seen Hart.

The Guardian - Sport

He would have liked to have been an actor.

The Economist

I would have liked to have an extra day.

The New York Times - Sports

"We would have liked to have seen more".

The New York Times

"I would have liked to have known my father".

The New York Times

"I would have liked to have won this one.

The New York Times - Sports

We would have liked to have gotten all three".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "had like to" in your writing. Instead, use "would like to" to express a present desire, or "would have liked to" for a past desire.

Common error

A common mistake is using "had" in place of "would" when expressing a desire. Remember that "would" is the correct auxiliary verb to indicate a hypothetical or polite wish.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had like to" is an incorrect attempt to express a desire or preference. Correct usage requires the auxiliary verb "would", as in "would like to" or "would have liked to". As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase violates standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had like to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. To express a present desire, use ""would like to"". For a past desire that was not fulfilled, use ""would have liked to"". As Ludwig AI points out, using the correct auxiliary verb ensures clear and effective communication. Remember to avoid "had like to" in both written and spoken English to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Would like to

Corrects the tense and auxiliary verb usage to express a polite desire.

Would have liked to

Expresses a past desire or preference that was not fulfilled.

Would've liked to

A contracted form of "would have liked to", maintaining the same meaning.

Should like to

Expresses a desire or mild obligation, more formal than "would like to".

Desired to

A more formal way of expressing a past wish or longing.

Wanted to

A simpler, more direct way of expressing a past wish.

Hoped to

Indicates an expectation or desire for something to happen.

Wished to

A formal way to express a regretful longing.

Yearned to

Expresses a deep longing or persistent desire.

Longed to

Indicates a strong and persistent desire, often tinged with sadness.

FAQs

What is the correct way to express a desire or preference?

Use "would like to" for present desires and "would have liked to" for past desires. For example, "I "would like to" go to the store" or "I "would have liked to" attend the party".

Is "had like to" ever grammatically correct?

No, "had like to" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct forms are "would like to" or "would have liked to", depending on the intended meaning.

What can I say instead of "had like to"?

Use alternatives like ""would like to"" for present desires or ""would have liked to"" for past desires.

What's the difference between "would like to" and "would have liked to"?

"Would like to" expresses a current desire, while ""would have liked to"" expresses a desire about something in the past that did not happen.