- Have you ever wondered whether to say you “strongly dislike” or “deeply dislike” something?
- Do you know which preposition follows “dislike” when it’s used as a noun?
- Are you looking for more professional alternatives to the word “hate” in business contexts?
Mastering dislike collocations is a vital step for English learners who want to move beyond basic vocabulary. Using the right combinations of words helps you express nuances of emotion—from a mild preference to a strong aversion—making your English sound more natural, professional, and precise. In this guide, we will break down how to use “dislike” as both a verb and a noun using current, high-frequency patterns used by native speakers today.
Common Collocations with DISLIKE as a Verb
When used as a verb, “dislike” describes an active feeling of distaste. It is a stative verb, meaning we rarely use it in the continuous (-ing) form. Instead, we use adverbs to show the degree of the feeling.
Adverbs of Intensity
These adverbs tell the listener exactly how much you dislike something. In modern English, “strongly” is the most common professional choice.
- Strongly dislike: “I strongly dislike the new office policy.”
- Intensely dislike: “They intensely dislike being interrupted during meetings.”
- Thoroughly dislike: “He thoroughly dislikes the cold winter weather.”
- Cordially dislike: (Note: Often used ironically or in formal UK/US English to show a polite but firm distance) “The two rivals cordially dislike one another.”
Grammatical Patterns with Verbs
To sound like a native speaker, pay close attention to the structure that follows the verb.
- Dislike + [Gerund -ing]: “She dislikes traveling by bus.” (Note: In modern English, “dislike to travel” is much less common and often sounds non-native).
- Dislike + [Noun]: “Many people dislike processed food.”
Essential Collocations using DISLIKE as a Noun
As a noun, “dislike” often refers to the feeling itself or the thing that causes the feeling. It is frequently paired with specific adjectives and verbs.
Adjectives used with the Noun
These adjectives describe the quality or depth of the feeling.
- Intense/Strong dislike: “He has an intense dislike of social media.”
- Mutual dislike: “There was a mutual dislike between the two colleagues.”
- Visceral dislike: (Modern usage for a physical, “gut” feeling) “She felt a visceral dislike for the brutalist architecture.”
- Slight dislike: “I have a slight dislike for cilantro, but I can eat it.”
Common Verb + Noun Phrases
These idiomatic “blocks” of language are used together as a single unit of meaning.
- Take a dislike to: To suddenly start disliking someone or something. “The boss took a dislike to him on his first day.”
- Express a dislike: To say out loud that you don’t like something. “The customers expressed a dislike for the new packaging.”
- Conceal a dislike: To hide the fact that you don’t like something. “She tried to conceal her dislike for her mother-in-law’s cooking.”
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Strongly dislike | Verb + Adverb | To have a very firm feeling of distaste. |
| Take a dislike to | Verb Phrase (Noun) | To begin disliking something/someone suddenly. |
| Intense dislike | Adjective + Noun | A very powerful feeling of not liking something. |
| Dislike doing | Verb + Gerund | The standard way to describe disliking an action. |
| Mutual dislike | Adjective + Noun | When two people do not like each other. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I am disliking this song. | I dislike this song. (Stative verb) |
| I have a big dislike for tea. | I have a strong dislike for tea. |
| He dislikes to wake up early. | He dislikes waking up early. |
| She has a dislike at her job. | She has a dislike of her job. |
“When Mark started his new role, he immediately took a dislike to the rigid corporate culture. Although he tried to conceal his dislike during board meetings, his strong dislike of micromanagement eventually became obvious. It turned out to be a mutual dislike, as his manager also strongly disliked Mark’s unconventional working style.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Dislike Collocations
Which preposition follows the noun ‘dislike’?
In modern English, the noun “dislike” is most commonly followed by the preposition of (e.g., a dislike of noise) or sometimes for (e.g., a dislike for spicy food). “Of” is generally considered more standard in formal writing.
Is it ‘dislike to do’ or ‘dislike doing’?
While some older textbooks might list both, modern 2024 usage overwhelmingly prefers the gerund -ing form. You should say “I dislike swimming” rather than “I dislike to swim” to sound natural.
What is the difference between ‘dislike’ and ‘hate’?
“Hate” is much stronger and more emotional. “Dislike” is more objective and professional. If you want to say you don’t like a business proposal, “dislike” is appropriate; “hate” would be considered too aggressive or dramatic.
Can I use ‘dislike’ in the continuous tense (I am disliking)?
Generally, no. “Dislike” is a stative verb (a verb that describes a state rather than an action). Even if the feeling is happening right now, we use the simple present: “I dislike this.”
What are some formal synonyms for ‘strongly dislike’?
In a formal or academic context, you might use avert to, loathe (very strong), or have an aversion to. However, “strongly dislike” remains the most versatile choice for professional English.
Any regional differences with these terms? For example, would 'strongly dislike' be more common in British English vs. American English, or are they pretty universal?
That's a very insightful question, Paul! For 'strongly dislike,' 'intensely dislike,' and 'thoroughly dislike,' their usage is quite universal across major English dialects like British English and American English. While there might be slight variations in overall frequency or preferred idioms for other expressions, these specific collocations with 'dislike' are widely understood and used in both. Excellent point to consider!
I'm a beginner, and even though some parts are advanced, the core message about avoiding 'hate' and using adverbs is very clear. I'll start with 'strongly dislike' for now! Can't wait for the noun section.
That's a perfect strategy, Gabriela! Starting with 'strongly dislike' is an excellent way to improve your expression. You've grasped the main takeaway, and that's fantastic progress for a beginner. We're excited for you to explore the noun section when you're ready!
In Korean, we have different words for 'dislike' depending on whether it's an object, a person, or a situation. English seems to be more flexible with 'dislike' + adverbs. This article helps map that out.
That's a fascinating cross-linguistic comparison, Lee Min-ho! You're right, English often relies on adverbs and context to convey these nuances with verbs like 'dislike,' whereas other languages might use entirely different lexical items. Understanding these structural differences is a great way to deepen your English comprehension!
This is perfect! I'm preparing for my IELTS exam, and my writing always gets feedback about using more precise vocabulary. 'Strongly dislike' is definitely going into my active vocabulary now.
Fantastic, Max! For IELTS, demonstrating a wide range of vocabulary and precise word choice is crucial. 'Strongly dislike' is an excellent addition that will help you articulate your opinions more effectively. Good luck with your exam preparations!
I never thought about 'dislike' as a stative verb! This explains why 'I am disliking this new song' felt awkward to say. Thanks for clearing that up!
You're not alone, Aisha! The stative verb concept is a common point of confusion, and recognizing it makes a huge difference in sounding natural. We're happy we could help clarify that for you!
What's the difference between 'intensely dislike' and 'thoroughly dislike'? They both sound very strong to me. Is one more formal than the other?
That's a great question, David, as they are both quite strong! 'Intensely dislike' often implies a deep, emotional, or visceral reaction. 'They intensely dislike being lied to.' 'Thoroughly dislike,' on the other hand, suggests a complete and absolute aversion; there's nothing about it you like. 'I thoroughly dislike cold weather.' Neither is significantly more formal than the other, but 'intensely' focuses more on the *feeling* and 'thoroughly' on the *completeness* of the dislike.
I always default to 'I don't like'. This article gives me so many new ways to express myself. Thank you for making my English sound more sophisticated!
You're very welcome, Sophie! Moving beyond 'I don't like' is a fantastic goal. Expanding your vocabulary with precise terms like these will definitely make your English more nuanced and sophisticated. Keep experimenting with these new expressions!
The summary mentions 'mild preference to a strong aversion'. Could you give an example of how 'dislike' fits into expressing a 'mild preference'? It sounds a bit contradictory to me!
That's a very insightful point, Ricardo! The phrase 'mild preference to a strong aversion' refers to the broader spectrum of negative feelings that *can be expressed* using 'dislike' and its various modifiers, as alternatives to 'hate.' For example, saying 'I dislike early mornings' is much milder than 'I hate early mornings,' and could be interpreted as a mild *negative* preference. It highlights that 'dislike' is on the less intense end of the negative emotion scale, allowing for nuances. Thanks for asking for clarification!
I've noticed some people say 'I have a strong dislike for X'. Is 'for' also okay, or should it strictly be 'of'? Ahmed asked about this too!
Thanks for reiterating that, Anna! As mentioned in the reply to Ahmed, while 'dislike of' is the most common and generally preferred preposition when 'dislike' is used as a noun, 'dislike for' is also sometimes used and not considered strictly incorrect, especially in less formal contexts. However, if you want to sound most natural and precise, especially in formal writing, 'dislike of' is your best bet!
As a non-native English teacher, I find this article very useful for explaining subtle differences to my students. The stative verb point is particularly good for addressing common errors. Thanks for the resource!
We're so pleased to hear that, Oliver! Providing clear explanations for common challenges like stative verbs is exactly what we aim for. Your feedback as an educator is invaluable, and we're delighted to be a resource for you and your students.