What sparks your interest, and how do you indulge in those passions? Do you thrive in the excitement of a Friday night out, or do you prefer the cozy comfort of an early night in? Whether you’re drawn to lively gatherings or serene solitude, everyone has their unique tastes. In this post, you’ll discover over 20 phrases—both formal and informal—to enhance your vocabulary for expressing your preferences.

Phrase/word + intensity of the feeling	Examples (❕note the object following the phrases, whether it is a noun, a to-infinitive, or an -ing form)
To love doing/to do something love ❤️ ❤️	I love exploring new cafes. I love to curl up with a good book.
To be all about something ❤️ ❤️	I’m all about hiking these days. There’s nothing like being in nature! I’m all about indie rock right now. The vibe just resonates with me.
To be into something ❤️	I’m into fantasy. I’m into painting as a way to express myself.
To be unable to resist something/doing something ❤️ ❤️	I can’t resist a good cappuccino. I’m unable to resist binge-watching a good series; once I start, I can’t stop!
To enjoy something/doing something ❤️	I enjoy great books. He enjoys watching sci-fi flicks.
To like doing/to do something ❤️	I like swimming in the ocean. I like to read before bed.
To be a (big) fan of something/doing something ❤️ ❤️	I’m a fan of classic films. I’m a fan of cooking new recipes.

Additional Informal Phrases

Phrase/word + intensity of the feeling	Examples (❕note the object following the phrases, whether it is a noun, a to-infinitive, or an -ing form)
There’s nothing like… ❤️ ❤️	There’s nothing like being in nature! There’s nothing like a sunset at the beach to end the day.
To be drawn to something ❤️ ❤️	She’s drawn to abstract art; the colors and shapes inspire her. He’s drawn to traveling, especially to places with rich history and culture.
To dig something ❤️ ❤️	I really dig this new band; their sound is so refreshing! I really dig hiking in the mountains; it makes me feel so alive.
To be down for something ❤️ ❤️	I’m totally down for a movie night this weekend! She’s down for hiking if the weather is nice.
To be vibing with something ❤️ ❤️	I’m really vibing with this playlist; it has all my favorite songs. She’s vibing with reading more fiction; it’s a nice escape from reality.
One’s jam ❤️ ❤️	This song is definitely my jam; I can’t help but dance whenever I hear it!
Something floats one’s boat ❤️ ❤️	I know it’s not everyone’s style, but that music really floats my boat. Gardening may not be for everyone, but it definitely floats my boat.
Something is right up one’s alley ❤️ ❤️	If you enjoy mysteries, this book is right up your alley. Running marathons is right up my alley; I thrive on the challenge.
One’s cup of tea* ❤️ ❤️	Going out to loud parties is fun, but a quiet night in is more my cup of tea.
To be sold on something ❤️ ❤️	After trying the food, I’m sold on this restaurant; everything was delicious! After watching the trailer, I’m definitely sold on seeing that movie!
To thrive on something ❤️ ❤️	Running marathons is right up my alley; I thrive on the challenge. I thrive on solving complex problems; it keeps my mind sharp.

*The idiom ‘one’s cup of tea’ is usually used in a negative sentence to express what someone doesn’t really like: 1) Watching reality TV shows is not my cup of tea; I prefer documentaries. 2) Group sports aren’t my cup of tea; I much prefer individual activities like swimming.

Additional Formal Phrases

Phrase/word + intensity of the feeling	Examples (❕note the object following the phrases, whether it is a noun, a to-infinitive, or an -ing form)
To spark one’s interest (in something) ❤️	The documentary on climate change really sparked my interest in environmental science. Reading that novel sparked my interest in writing my own stories.
To indulge in something ❤️ ❤️ (formal/neutral phrase)	I like to indulge in a slice of cake every Sunday as a special treat. On vacation, I indulge in reading as many novels as I can.
To appreciate something ❤️	I appreciate good music. I appreciate cooking for my family; it brings us together.
To (much) prefer something (formal/neutral phrase; ‘much’ makes it more emphatic) ❤️ ❤️	I much prefer coffee to tea in the morning. She prefers reading fiction over non-fiction because it’s more entertaining.
To be fond of something ❤️	I am fond of classic literature. He’s fond of playing the guitar in his free time.
To be inclined to favor something ❤️	I am inclined to favor eco-friendly products due to their positive impact on the environment. I am inclined to favor running in the mornings rather than in the evenings.
To take pleasure in something ❤️ (formal/neutral phrase)	I take pleasure in reading historical novels; they transport me to different eras. Mary takes pleasure in music, often attending concerts and festivals.
To be partial to something ❤️ (neutral/formal phrase)	I am partial to Italian cuisine. I’m partial to practicing yoga in the morning.
Something appeals to someone ❤️	The idea of traveling abroad appeals to Sarah. Volunteering at local shelters appeals to those who want to give back to the community.
To regard something positively ❤️	I regard this new policy positively; it promotes teamwork and collaboration. I regard practicing meditation positively; it helps improve my focus and well-being.

Thrive in Something or Thrive on Something?

Finally, let us emphasize that the phrases “to thrive in something” and “to thrive on something,” featured in this article, have slightly different meanings. ❗If you thrive in something, it means you are successful or growing within a specific environment or situation, suggesting that you are doing well and flourishing in that context: I thrive in the excitement of a Friday night out.❗If you thrive on something, on the other hand, you derive strength, energy, or enjoyment from it: I thrive on solving complex problems.

Did you dig the article? Which phrases were completely new to you? Do you know any others that can serve as alternatives to the good old “I like it”? Be sure to share them in the comments below; we always appreciate your feedback.