much like to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much like to" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of "much like" and "to," which do not typically go together in this way. Example: "He enjoys painting, much like to play the guitar." (This should be rephrased for clarity.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And one the company would very much like to keep.

The New York Times

We would very much like to keep this metaphor because it evokes the motion we are studying.

eLife

You would very much like to migrate to the United States legally.

The Economist

He didn't much like to travel.

The New Yorker

We would very much like to know.

The New York Times

"I'd very much like to do that.

The New Yorker

This is something he doesn't much like to discuss.

The New Yorker

Companies, like people, don't much like to change.

The New Yorker

"I would very much like to come back," he replied.

The New York Times

If so, I'd very much like to hear from you.

The Guardian - Music

We would very much like to believe her.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "much like to" in formal writing. Replace it with grammatically correct alternatives like "would like to" or "would love to" for clarity and professionalism.

Common error

The error arises from mistakenly combining the phrase "much like" (meaning similar to) with "would like to" (expressing desire). To avoid this, ensure you're using the correct phrase that accurately conveys your intended meaning: expressing similarity or indicating preference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much like to" appears frequently, functioning as a verbal phrase expressing desire or inclination. However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. Examples from Ludwig show its use in various contexts, despite its grammatical issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "much like to" is frequently encountered across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. It appears most often in News & Media and Science contexts, aiming to express desire or inclination. Despite its common usage, it's advisable to replace it with grammatically sound alternatives such as "would like to" or "would love to" to ensure clarity and correctness in writing. Avoid combining "much like" and "to" to prevent this common error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would like to

A more concise and grammatically correct way to express desire or preference.

would love to

Expresses a stronger degree of enthusiasm or enjoyment for the action.

would very much like to

Emphasizes desire with added intensity and proper grammar, but retains the original phrase's structure.

really want to

Highlights the genuine and strong desire to perform the action.

eager to

Indicates enthusiasm and anticipation for doing something.

keen to

Similar to eager, but implies a more understated enthusiasm or willingness.

desire to

A more formal way to express a wish or longing to do something.

wish to

Indicates a polite or formal desire to do something.

feel inclined to

Suggests a tendency or willingness to do something.

have a penchant for

Expresses a liking or fondness for something.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express a strong desire to do something?

Instead of the incorrect phrase "much like to", use phrases such as "would like to" or "would love to" to properly convey your desire.

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

While "much like to" is grammatically incorrect, you can use alternatives like "would very much like to", "would like to", or "really want to" depending on the context.

Is "much like to" grammatically correct?

No, "much like to" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct phrasing to express desire or preference is "would like to" or "would love to".

How can I use "would like to" in a sentence?

You can use "would like to" to express a polite request or desire. For example, "I would like to order a coffee" or "They would like to visit the museum".