4.171 instructions: 'would like'

'Would like' can be used with 'I' or 'we' in a declarative sentence to give an instruction or order. It is followed by 'you' and a 'to'-infinitive clause.

• Penelope, I would like you to get us the files.

'Want' can be used in a similar way to 'would like'. This use of 'want' is dealt with in paragraph 4.240.