recommend
C1formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
to suggest that someone or something would be good or suitable for a particular purpose or role
to advise or counsel a particular course of action; to speak favorably of someone or something
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies personal endorsement or expertise. Stronger than 'suggest' but weaker than 'insist' or 'demand'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use identically in meaning and syntax. No significant variation.
Connotations
Equally formal in both varieties. Slightly more common in written than spoken registers.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English corpora, but difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
recommend somethingrecommend (that) someone do somethingrecommend someone for somethingrecommend doing somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “come highly recommended”
- “nothing to recommend it”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in formal proposals, performance reviews, and procurement contexts.
Academic
Common in conclusions of papers or advisor guidance.
Everyday
Used for restaurants, films, products, or services.
Technical
Appears in software settings, algorithm outputs, or diagnostic suggestions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I'd recommend booking the tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
- The committee will recommend a change in policy at the next meeting.
American English
- My doctor recommends getting at least 30 minutes of exercise daily.
- The report recommends a complete overhaul of the current system.
adverb
British English
- The software is recommendably user-friendly for beginners.
- They performed recommendably under difficult circumstances.
American English
- The guidebook recommendably includes maps of all the trails.
- She acted recommendably in handling the customer complaint.
adjective
British English
- This is a recommendable approach given the budget constraints.
- The hotel came highly recommended by several colleagues.
American English
- The most recommendable feature is its battery life.
- It's a recommended practice to back up your data regularly.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I recommend this pizza. It's very good.
- Can you recommend a good film?
- My friend recommended this restaurant to me.
- The teacher recommended that I read more books in English.
- I would strongly recommend revising the financial plan before the meeting.
- The consultant recommended implementing the new software in phases.
- The panel unanimously recommended adopting the more stringent environmental standards.
- Based on the audit findings, it is recommended that the company overhaul its compliance procedures.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 're' (again) + 'commend' (praise) → to praise again → to suggest favorably.
Conceptual Metaphor
RECOMMENDATION IS A GIFT OF TRUST (you give your trusted opinion to someone).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'рекомендовать' with prepositions like 'to recommend to do' – use 'recommend doing' or 'recommend that...' instead.
- Do not use 'recommend someone something' (as in Russian) – use 'recommend something to someone'.
Common Mistakes
- I recommend you to try it. (Incorrect: extra 'to') → I recommend (that) you try it. / I recommend trying it.
- He recommended me the book. (Incorrect direct/indirect object order) → He recommended the book to me.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'recommend' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Recommend' is stronger than 'suggest' and implies personal endorsement. 'Advise' often carries more authority or expertise, and can be more formal or instructional.
No, that is a common error. Correct patterns are: recommend + that-clause (with base verb), recommend + gerund, or recommend + noun phrase + to someone.
Yes, e.g., 'He was highly recommended for the promotion,' or 'The strategy is recommended by most experts.'
Common prepositions are 'for' (purpose/role), 'to' (person), 'as' (description). E.g., 'recommend him for the job,' 'recommend it to a friend,' 'recommend it as a solution.'