Word order · CEFR A2
“I very like” or “I really like”? Using very with verbs
Incorrect
I very like
Correct
I really like / I like it very much
Very cannot modify a verb. Say “I really like it” or “I like it very much” - not “I very like it”.
The rule
very + adjective / adverb: very good, very quickly.
really + verb: I really like, I really want.
verb + object + very much / a lot: I like it very much, I enjoyed it a lot.
Examples
✗ I very like this song.
✓ I really like this song.
✗ I very much like coffee.
✓ I like coffee very much.
“I very much like” is correct but formal
✗ She very enjoys dancing.
✓ She really enjoys dancing.
Why learners make this mistake
Chinese (我很喜欢), Japanese and several other languages place the intensifier directly before the verb.
Remember
VERY + adjective. REALLY + verb.
Frequently asked questions
- Is “I very much like” correct?
- Yes, but it is formal. In conversation, “I really like” is more natural.
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