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Why do some people say "I like" not "I like it" when they like something? I have seen that on the internet and in person. Is it even grammatical?

Edit:

Editing by request I have heard that bare "I like" as comments when they see something they think is nice they say "I like" and I have seen it on Facebook in pic comments someone would write a comments just saying " I like" also on informative postings. I hope this edition helps figuring this out.

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  • In what context did you hear people say "I like"? Was it an answer to a question?
    – user24743
    Commented Apr 19, 2016 at 7:01
  • I have seen that as feedbacks in educational postings and picture comments on the famous FB.
    – Manuel Hernandez
    Commented Apr 19, 2016 at 7:05
  • @ManuelHernandez : Please edit your question to add an example. That would be helpful.
    – 7_R3X
    Commented Apr 19, 2016 at 7:06
  • Ok I'll do that.
    – Manuel Hernandez
    Commented Apr 19, 2016 at 7:10

1 Answer 1

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To like is mostly used as a transitive verb, which means it needs an object. However, on the internet, people use "I like" in a comment to a post when they find it agreeable or enjoyable.

The reason why the object of to like is not required is it is already in the post. In other words, "I like" is short for "I like what you posted" or "I like what is in your post" as the below picture indicates.

enter image description here

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  • I think this is it, Rathony, you got all at once. I like (:
    – Manuel Hernandez
    Commented Apr 19, 2016 at 7:20
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    @ManuelHernandez Thanks for your "I like". :-)
    – user24743
    Commented Apr 19, 2016 at 7:22
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    The usage of this construction is also probably heavily influenced by Facebook and its "like" button.
    – Hypnoxas
    Commented Apr 19, 2016 at 7:24
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    But it was spoken out loud before Facebook existed.
    – user230
    Commented Apr 19, 2016 at 7:35

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