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recommend

B1
verb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /rˌɛkəmˈɛnd/

US

  • /ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd/

Description

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.

    • Pattern

      recommend + -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

  5. 5

    Job suitability

    Several people recommended her for the job.

    • Pattern

      recommend + person + for + role

      say they are suitable

  6. 6

    Passive source

    This cafe was recommended to us by a local.

  7. 7

    Strong endorsement

    The guidebook highly recommends booking tickets online.

    • Phrase

      highly recommend

      recommend very strongly

  8. 8

    Warning

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

    • Pattern

      recommend against + -ing

      advise people not to do it

  9. 9

    Enthusiastic praise

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

    • Phrase

      I can't recommend it enough

      I recommend it very strongly

Forms and spellings

4 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • recommendverb

Forms

  • recommendedpast tenseverb
  • recommendsverb
  • recommending-ing formverb