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recommend

B1
Common

Pronunciation

UK

  • /rˌɛkəmˈɛnd/

US

  • /ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd/

Meanings

Verb

  1. to advise that someone should do something or choose something

  2. to say that someone or something is good, suitable, or worth choosing

Beyond the definition

To recommend something is to suggest it as good or right for a situation, like telling a friend who is new in town about your favorite pizza place. It is more than just mentioning something; you are also showing your approval. A teacher might recommend a book for extra credit, a mechanic might recommend a repair, or a friend might recommend a movie they think you will love. You can also recommend a person for a job, meaning you believe they would be a good fit. Think of it as sharing something useful with someone else and hoping it helps.

Examples

  1. 1

    Everyday request

    Can you recommend a good restaurant near the station?

  2. 2

    Personal advice

    My teacher recommended this podcast to me.

    • Pattern

      recommend + thing + to + person

  3. 3

    Advising action

    I wouldn't recommend driving in the city at rush hour.

    • Patternrecommend + -ing

      say an action is a good idea

  4. 4

    Formal advice

    The doctor recommended that he take a few days off work.

    • Grammar

      recommend that + person + base verb

More examples
  1. 5

    Job suitability

    Several people recommended her for the job.

    • Patternrecommend + person + for + role

      say they are suitable

  2. 6

    Passive source

    This cafe was recommended to us by a local.

  3. 7

    Strong endorsement

    The guidebook highly recommends booking tickets online.

    • Phrasehighly recommend

      recommend very strongly

  4. 8

    Warning

    We recommend against using this skin cream on children under two.

    • Patternrecommend against + -ing

      advise people not to do it

  5. 9

    Enthusiastic praise

    If you like slow movies, I can't recommend it enough.

    • PhraseI can't recommend it enough

      I recommend it very strongly

See also

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • recommend someone for a job
  • highly recommend
  • recommend that someone do something
  • recommend against

Word family

Explore

Forms and spellings

4 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • recommendverb

Forms

  • recommendedpast tenseverb
  • recommendsverb
  • recommending-ing formverb