Word
commend
Phoneticscom·mend, stress on the second syllable
US/kəˈmɛnd/
UK/kəmˈɛnd/
Definitions
01to praise formally
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to praise someone or something in a formal way, often for doing a good job.
v. to express formal praise or approval of someone or something. Transitive — requires a direct object.
“The manager decided to commend the team for finishing the project ahead of schedule.”
“The committee voted to commend the officer for her exceptional bravery during the emergency rescue operation.”
02to recommend
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to say that something is good and should be chosen or used.
v. to present or represent as worthy of confidence, acceptance, or regard.
“This new book has much to commend it to anyone interested in history.”
“While the proposal is expensive, its focus on long-term sustainability is a feature that should commend it to the board.”
03to entrust
C2 · Proficiency Formal · Literary
v. to give something or someone into the care of another person.
v. to entrust or commit to the care of another. Often used in religious or highly literary contexts.
Español:encomendar
“Before he left, he commended his children to the care of his sister.”
“In his final hours, the poet commended his soul to a higher power and his manuscripts to his most trusted friend.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. Often used in the passive voice ('was commended for').
Pitfall
The teacher commended about his progress.
The teacher commended his progress.
Commend is a transitive verb and takes a direct object without a preposition like 'about'.
Real-World Examples
“Scroll down to explore other highly commended works from the competition.” “Scarr commends the opposition communications minister, Sarah Henderson, for making some changes to the bill, but says he “won’t be part of it”.” Etymology
From Middle English commenden, from Old French comender, from Latin commendō (“commend, entrust to, commit, recommend”), from com- + mandō (“to commit, intrust, enjoin”), from manus (“hand”) + dō (“to put”). Doublet of command.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0