#Conversations Different ways to say “I don’ | English language club

#Conversations



Different ways to say “I don’t like”

There are a lot more ways to talk about negative things than positive things.

This makes sense, right?

I mean, it’s fine to be direct if you’re being positive, but you might want to be more indirect (and more polite) when you’re talking about negative things — like when you don’t like something.


I’m not fond of …

No special place in your heart for this!

Like with “I’m fond of,” we can use this for people, things or actions.

“Don’t invite Clancy. Jasmine’s not very fond of him.”


I’m not a big fan of …

This sounds quite soft, right? I mean, there are lots of things we’re not big fans of. In fact — almost everything.

However, when people use this phrase, what they often mean is “I hate this. Please don’t make me do this.”

“I’m not a big fan of Star Trek.”

“I’m not such a big fan of playing Tetris.”


I’m not really into …

This is the same as “I’m not a big fan of.” Use it to reject something politely.

“Let’s go somewhere else. Most of the kids aren’t really into this.”
“Into what?”
“Into bowling.”


I’m not big on …

Again — you can use this phrase to soften your rejection of something.

“Sorry — I’m not really big on insect museums. Can we do something else?”


I’m not crazy about …

You’re not crazy about it? Great! Then let’s stop!

“Sorry. I’m not crazy about this idea. What about chess instead?”

“Then she told me that she wasn’t crazy about hippo wrestling! I mean — what’s wrong with hippo wrestling?”


It’s not for me.
I like this one.

If you want to tell your excitable cousin that the swimming-with-sharks holiday in Florida is a terrible idea, you can say this.

It puts the focus on you, not on the terrible idea, so she won’t be offended.

Although that might not matter too much if she really does decide to take that holiday. She’ll have other things to worry about.

“Sorry. I’m going to pass on your offer — mountain trekking holidays are just not for me.”


I’m not much of a … person.
This is the same as “It’s not for me.”

We often use it with the word “people” to describe shy people:

“Yeah — you won’t see him out much. He’s not much of a people person.“

But we can use it with almost any kind of activity:

“Me? No, I’m not really much of a cinema person.”

“Mike won’t want to come. He’s not much of a camping person — not since what happened at Beanfield.”


It’s not my thing.
This is like “It’s not for me.”

You can also make it even softer by saying “It’s not really my thing.”

It can be used with “it” if the context is clear:

“Wanna come to the reggae gig?”
“Nah — it’s not really my thing.”

Or just change the subject if the context isn’t that clear:

“These ideas are all great. But doing anything outside isn’t my thing.”

Swimming with sharks isn't really my thing.


I can’t stand …

But sometimes you just want to be direct, right?

So use this one!

It basically means “I hate it!”

You can use it with things:

“I can’t stand his laugh.”

Or actions:

“Ha ha! Yeah, I’m not surprised she said that! She can’t stand dancing with people!”


@Englishlanguageclub