What is the difference between ~のがすきです & ~がすきです?


They both mean to like the subject/topic, right?

I'm trying to figure out what のが actually means/adds to the sentence and when
it is appropriate to put it in a sentence or leave it out. I have been told it
is similar to stating 'I like things like ~' whereas just が is stating I like
this one particular thing.'

Please explain to me and also please use hiragana as I am still a beginner.

Thanks!




If you want to say you like some plain noun (e.g., pizza, soccer, video game),
の is never used. の before が好きです is necessary when you want to say something
using a verb or an adjective.

  * After a verb, as a nominalizer ("-ing"). See: [Question with this sentence わたしはえをみるのがすきです](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/q/29367/5010)

> はしる **の** がすきです。  
>  I like runn **ing**.

はしるがすきです (≒"*I like run") without の is ungrammatical. Depending on the
context, はしるの can also mean "the one that runs", but it's rather exceptional.

  * After an i-adjective, as a pronoun meaning "one".

> あかい **の** がすきです。  
>  I like the red **one**.
>
> (cf. おおきい **の** をください。 The bigger **one** , please.)

あかいがすきです is ungrammatical.

