Word
recommend
Phoneticsrec·om·mend, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɹɛkəˈmɛnd/
UK/ɹˌɛkəmˈɛnd/
Definitions
01to suggest as a good choice
A2 · Elementary
v. to say that someone or something is good and that others should choose them.
v. to present someone or something as worthy of confidence, acceptance, or use.
“Can you recommend a good Italian restaurant in the city centre?”
“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.
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.
02to advise a course of action
B1 · Intermediate
v. to give advice about the best thing to do in a situation.
v. to advise or counsel a particular action as being beneficial or necessary.
Español:recomendar
“The doctor recommended getting more exercise and eating less sugar.”
“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'.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “recommend” in context.
Confusables
Suggest proposes a possibility for consideration, while recommend provides a stronger endorsement based on personal belief or expertise.
RememberSuggest = an idea. Recommend = a seal of approval.
Etymology
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)).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Grammar
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/recommend
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0