Cool MateEnjoy vs I've always had a thing for
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Enjoy
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
I've always had a thing for
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: EnjoyMost common: Enjoy
| Enjoy | I've always had a thing for | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈdʒɔɪ/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪz/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪd/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈdʒɔɪ/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪz/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪd/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪv ˈɔɪl.weɪz hæd ə θɪŋ fə//🇺🇸 //aɪv ˈɔl.weɪz hæd ə θɪŋ fɔr// |
| Meaning | to like or take pleasure in something | I have always liked |
| Example | I really enjoy reading novels in my free time. | I've always had a thing for classic cars. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | enormously, greatly, hugely, be able to, seem to, begin to, enjoy yourself, just enjoy it/something, enormously, greatly, hugely, be able to, seem to, begin to, enjoy yourself, just enjoy it/something | have a thing for someone, have a thing for something, always had a thing, thing for fashion, thing for adventure |
| Antonyms | dislike, hate, detest | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'enjoy' with gerunds incorrectly; it should be 'enjoy doing' not 'enjoy to do'., Confusing the use of 'enjoy' with 'like' although they have similar meanings, 'enjoy' often implies a deeper appreciation., Omitting the object of 'enjoy' can lead to incomplete sentences. | Using it in a formal context where it sounds too casual., Confusing it with 'I've always liked' without noting the emphasis on ongoing interest., Incorrectly adding a specific person or thing that isn't typically associated with 'thing'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'enjoy' when talking about activities or experiences that are pleasurable. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but is more common in casual conversation. Avoid in overly formal contexts. | This phrase is often used in casual conversations to express a fondness for someone or something. It's not suitable for formal writing or speeches. |
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Frequently asked questions: Enjoy vs I've always had a thing for
What's the difference between Enjoy and I've always had a thing for?
Enjoy: to like or take pleasure in something I've always had a thing for: I have always liked
Which is more formal: Enjoy and I've always had a thing for?
Enjoy is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Enjoy and I've always had a thing for?
Enjoy is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Enjoy: I really enjoy reading novels in my free time. I've always had a thing for: I've always had a thing for classic cars.
Can I use Enjoy and I've always had a thing for interchangeably?
Not always. Enjoy and I've always had a thing for are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.