recommend
gb/ɹˌɛkəmˈɛnd/ us/ɹˌɛkəmˈɛnd/
B1
English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Advise someone to do or use something
To say that someone should do or use something because it is a good idea.
Usage pattern:
to recommend [something] to [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'recommend' with 'suggest' in grammar. For example, 'I recommend you to read' is incorrect; it should be 'I recommend that you read' or 'I recommend reading'.
Synonyms
advise (Slightly broader; can include warnings as well as positive suggestions.)
|
suggest (Often softer or less authoritative than 'recommend'.)
Antonyms
discourage (Means to advise against doing something.)
Collocations
highly recommend
|recommend strongly
|recommend doing
|recommend for
|recommend against
Themes
daily life
|advice
|communication
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in history.
- The doctor recommended a week of rest after the surgery.
- She recommended trying the new Italian restaurant downtown.
- My teacher recommended that I apply for the scholarship.
- He recommended against investing in that company.
Learner examples
- I recommend this movie to my friends.
- The teacher recommended this book.
- My doctor recommended more exercise.
- I recommend you try the soup.
- She recommended a good hotel for our trip.
Verb
B2
action
2
Put forward someone for a position
To say that someone is good for a job or role.
Usage pattern:
to recommend [someone] for [a job/position]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'recommend someone' with 'recommend to someone'. When endorsing a person, the correct form is 'recommend someone for' rather than 'recommend to'.
Synonyms
endorse (More formal; often used in official or public contexts.)
|
nominate (Specifically means to officially propose someone for a position or honor.)
Antonyms
oppose (Means to argue against selecting someone for a role.)
Collocations
recommend for promotion
|recommend for the position
|strongly recommend
|recommend as
Themes
business
|employment
|education
|work
|communication
Examples
- Her manager recommended her for the team leader role.
- I would not recommend him for this kind of work.
- The professor recommended me for the internship program.
- They recommended Sarah as the best candidate.
- He was recommended by his former employer.
Learner examples
- My boss recommended me for a new job.
- The teacher recommended her for the award.
- He recommended his friend for the position.
- They recommended me as a good worker.
- She was recommended by her old boss.
Grammar
Dictionary form
recommend
IPA
GB/ɹˌɛkəmˈɛnd/
US/ɹˌɛkəmˈɛnd/
Syllables & stress
re - com - mend (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (mend)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: recommend
- 3rd Person Singular: recommends
- Present Participle: recommending
- Past: recommended
Word family
Forms
recommends
verb
recommending
verb
recommended
verb
Core family
recommendation
noun B1
Related words
recommender
noun C1
Advanced or less common
recommendable
adjective C1
Expressions
highly recommend
1/hˈaɪli ɹˌɛkəmˈɛnd/
fixed phrase
Strongly suggest something as very good
To say something is very good and others should try it.
Examples
- I highly recommend visiting the art museum while you're in town.
- If you like seafood, I highly recommend this restaurant.
recommend against
1/ɹˌɛkəmˈɛnd əɡˈɛnst/
fixed phrase
Advise not to do something
To say it is not a good idea to do something.
Examples
- The doctor recommended against heavy exercise after the operation.
- I would recommend against buying that old car.