he likes for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he likes for" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; a more appropriate structure would be "he likes to" or "he likes that." Example: "He likes for his friends to join him on weekends."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

"He likes for people to speak about him.

Independent

He hasn't been able to write anything he likes for a while now.

The New Yorker

He knows their faces, and he likes for them to keep them clean.

The New York Times

He likes for me to be at home". Carter tells me he could never have become president without Rosalynn.

The Guardian

On occasion, he wears on his right hip or under his left arm a.40-calibre Glock automatic, a pistol he likes for its stopping power.

The New Yorker

He also enjoys moving around and photographing poorer villages, which he likes for their colours and for "the way they improvise structures".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

What did he like for breakfast?

The New York Times

He didn't find anything he liked for quite some time.

The Guardian

He arrived at a club he liked for lunch without the obligatory tie.

The Guardian

The two-bedroom he liked, for about $1.2 million, had "insanely beautiful views" in three directions.

The New York Times

Mr. Ellis bought his apartment — the Addison Hall studio that he liked — for the asking price, $299,000.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "he likes for". Instead, use "he likes to" or "he enjoys". For example, instead of "He likes for his coffee to be strong", say "He likes his coffee to be strong" or "He likes to drink strong coffee".

Common error

A common mistake is using "he likes for" when the correct form is "he likes to". Remember that "like" should be followed by an infinitive verb (to + verb) or a noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he likes for" is typically intended to express someone's preference or inclination towards a particular action or state. As Ludwig AI notes, the structure is not grammatically correct in standard English. The intended meaning is usually better conveyed through alternative constructions.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he likes for" is not grammatically correct in standard written English. As Ludwig AI highlights, the structure is non-standard and should be avoided in formal contexts. The analysis suggests that the intended meaning—expressing someone's preference or habit—is better conveyed using alternatives such as "he likes to", "he enjoys", or "he prefers". These alternatives are more appropriate for both formal and informal communication, ensuring clarity and grammatical correctness. The lack of instances in authoritative sources underscores the importance of avoiding this phrase in favor of more established grammatical structures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he likes to

Uses the standard infinitive form to express preference, replacing the "for" with "to".

he enjoys

Replaces "likes" with "enjoys", offering a more formal and grammatically correct alternative.

he prefers

Substitutes "likes" with "prefers" to indicate a stronger sense of choice or preference.

he is fond of

Replaces "likes" with "is fond of", providing a more descriptive and idiomatic expression of liking.

he is keen on

Uses "is keen on" instead of "likes", suggesting enthusiasm or strong interest.

he has a preference for

Rephrases the sentiment as having a preference, emphasizing the act of choosing.

he tends to

Indicates a habit or usual behavior, shifting the focus from liking to a pattern of action.

he is inclined to

Suggests a leaning or predisposition towards something, rather than a direct liking.

he gravitates towards

Implies a natural attraction or pull towards something, changing the expression from personal preference to inherent direction.

he is accustomed to

Uses "is accustomed to" to describe something he is used to or finds normal, rather than something he enjoys.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express someone's preference?

The correct way is to use "he likes to" or "he enjoys". For example, "He likes to read books" or "He enjoys reading books."

Is "he likes for" grammatically correct?

No, "he likes for" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct forms are "he likes to" or "he likes [noun/gerund]". Consider using alternatives such as "he enjoys" or "he prefers".

What can I say instead of "he likes for"?

You can use alternatives like "he likes to", "he enjoys", or "he prefers" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he likes for" or "he likes to"?

"He likes to" is the correct form. "He likes for" is not standard English. You could also say "He likes [noun]" or "He enjoys [gerund]". Alternatives include "he is fond of" or "he is keen on".