What does "recommend" mean?

1. (to suggest as a good choice) to say that someone or something is good and that others should choose them. 2. (to advise a course of action) to give advice about the best thing to do in a situation.

How do you use "recommend"?

Commonly followed by a noun, a gerund, or a 'that' clause. Often takes a 'that' clause with a subjunctive or 'should'.

Is it correct to say "I recommend you to see this film."?

No — say "I recommend that you see this film.". The verb 'recommend' is not usually followed by an object + infinitive. Use a 'that' clause or a gerund instead.

recommend

US //ˌɹɛkəˈmɛnd// UK //ɹˌɛkəmˈɛnd// rec·om·mend

1 to suggest as a good choice (v.)
A2 Elementary

to say that someone or something is good and that others should choose them.

to present someone or something as worthy of confidence, acceptance, or use.

Example

Can you recommend a good Italian restaurant in the city centre?

Example

The travel guide highly recommends this boutique hotel for its exceptional service and central location.

Usage

Commonly followed by a noun, a gerund, or a 'that' clause.
- criticize
- reject
Pitfall

I recommend you to see this film.

I recommend that you see this film.

The verb 'recommend' is not usually followed by an object + infinitive. Use a 'that' clause or a gerund instead.
2 to advise a course of action (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to give advice about the best thing to do in a situation.

to advise or counsel a particular action as being beneficial or necessary.

Example

The doctor recommended getting more exercise and eating less sugar.

Example

The committee recommended that the board postpone the decision until more financial data became available.

Usage

Often takes a 'that' clause with a subjunctive or 'should'.
- discourage

Origin

From Middle English recommenden, from Old French recommender (compare French recommander), from Latin re- + commendāre (“to commend, commit; to recommend”), from con- + mandāre (“commit, intrust, enjoin”), from manus (“hand, handwriting, power”) + dare (“to give; to offer or render”). Compare typologically Bulgarian препоръчам (preporǎčam), Serbo-Croatian препоручити, Slovene priporočiti, Czech doporučit, Slovak odporučiť (the same meaning); Russian поручи́ться (poručítʹsja), пору́ка (porúka), поручи́тельство (poručítelʹstvo) (close meaning), all related to Proto-Slavic *rǫka (Bulgarian ръка (rǎka), Russian рука́ (ruká)).