recommend

recommend — verb

1. to tell someone that a person, thing, or action is good, useful, or suitable, es

1.verbtransitiveA2
Definition

to tell someone that a person, thing, or action is good, useful, or suitable, especially when giving advice about what to choose or do.

Example

Justin recommended the Thai restaurant on Elm Street for our team lunch.

recommend + noun phrase + for + purpose

The coach recommended that Joshua start drinking more water during games.

recommend + that-clause (subjunctive)

Common collocations
  • recommend + noun + to someone
  • recommend + for + role/position
  • recommend + that-clause
  • recommend + -ing form
  • highly recommend
  • strongly recommend
  • warmly recommend
  • be recommended as
Synonyms
  • suggest

    softer and less authoritative than recommend; a suggestion does not carry personal endorsement

  • advise

    implies expertise or authority, often from a professional (lawyer, doctor)

  • advocate

    implies active, public support for a cause or policy rather than a personal tip

  • endorse

    formal, public approval, often for a product, candidate, or brand

Antonyms
  • oppose

    to recommend against something is to actively oppose it

  • discourage

    to suggest that something should not be done

Grammar Patterns

recommend + noun phrase + to + person

recommend + noun phrase + for + purpose/role

recommend + that-clause (subjunctive)

recommend + -ing form

Usage Note

Only sense that accepts a that-clause or gerund as complement. The direct-infinitive pattern ('recommend someone to do something') is non-standard and should be avoided in careful writing.

Common Mistakes

I recommend you to read this book.
I recommend reading this book.' or 'I recommend that you read this book.
The pattern 'recommend + person + to-infinitive' is grammatically incorrect in standard English.
She recommended me a good doctor.
She recommended a good doctor to me.
'Recommend' does not allow an indirect object without the preposition 'to'.

2. to cause a person or thing to seem attractive, appealing, or worth choosing in s

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to cause a person or thing to seem attractive, appealing, or worth choosing in someone's eyes — for example, a location's quiet streets recommend it to families, or someone's honesty recommends them as a leader.

Example

The cottage's quiet location recommends it to writers looking for peace.

quality/subject + recommend + to + person

What most recommends the garden is its rare collection of orchids.

wh-cleft: what most recommends

Common collocations
  • recommend itself to + group
  • strongly recommend + noun
  • what most recommends + noun
  • quality/feature + recommend + noun + as
Synonyms
  • speak well for

    idiom with a similar meaning; 'His record speaks well for his ability'

  • be a plus for

    informal alternative; 'The location is a plus for the hotel'

Grammar Patterns

quality/feature + recommend + person/thing + to + group

what + adverb + recommends + noun

Usage Note

Subject is typically a feature, quality, or characteristic — not a person intentionally promoting something. Common in formal or descriptive writing. Does not take a that-clause or infinitive complement.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve putting forward an idea, but they differ in strength and context. 'Recommend' implies personal endorsement based on experience or knowledge — you recommend what you have tried and found good, such as a restaurant or a book. 'Suggest' is the weakest of the group; you can simply mention an idea without strongly backing it, as in 'I suggest we take a break.' 'Advise' carries authority and often expertise — a lawyer advises a client, or a doctor advises a treatment. 'Advocate' means to publicly and actively support a cause or policy, usually in a formal or political context. For example: 'I recommend the Thai restaurant on Elm Street' (personal experience). 'My lawyer advised me to remain silent' (expert guidance). 'The group advocates for cleaner water' (public campaign). Choose 'suggest' for neutral proposals, 'recommend' for personal tips, 'advise' for professional guidance, and 'advocate' for public causes.

recommend ↗suggest ↗advise ↗advocate ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • would recommend
  • can recommend
  • be recommended as
  • come highly recommended

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

From Latin 'recommendāre', formed from 're-' (again, back) and 'commendāre' (to commend, entrust). The word originally meant 'to commend again' in late 14th century English, later shifting to 'to praise as worthy' by the 16th century. The sense of 'making someone seem attractive' developed in the 17th century.