Search blog

What is Recommend in English? Basic knowledge of Recommend in English

We have likely encountered Recommend in communication and learning, but do you know how to use it correctly? When using this structure, you provide others with helpful suggestions that will benefit them. Let’s explore Recommend in English and its specific usage together!

The usage of Recommend in English
The usage of Recommend in English

I. What is Recommend in English?

Recommend is pronounced /ˌrek.əˈmend/ and functions as a verb. The meaning of Recommend in English is: to suggest that someone or something would be good or suitable for a particular job or purpose, or to suggest that a particular action should be done. For example:

  • Jane recommends that I should do exercise every day. 

  • He sometimes recommends that I go to a museum. 

What is Recommend in English?
What is Recommend in English?

II. How to use Recommend in English

What follows Recommend in English? Is it "to V" or "Ving"? Let’s dive into how to use Recommend in a sentence!

Structure

Meaning

Example

S + recommend + somebody/ something + to + somebody.

Introduce or suggest someone to someone else or something they should experience

Mary recommended some local beauty stores in her country to me. 

S + recommend + (that) + somebody + should + V-inf. 

She recommended that he should go out to play with his friend more often. 

S + recommend + somebody/ something + for/ as something.

Propose a job or position that suits someone.

He recommends her for the marketing manager position. 

S + recommend + against + something/ V-ing.

Advise someone against doing something or avoiding something for their benefit.

My doctor recommended against fatty foods. 

S + recommend + V-ing/ something.

Suggest an activity that they think will be enjoyable or beneficial.

They recommend traveling to America. 

S + recommend + (that) + something + should + be + V-ed/ 3.

Use "recommend that..." to emphasize the thing or action being proposed.

They recommended that this kind of food should be tried.

How to use Recommend in English
How to use Recommend in English

III. Synonyms and antonyms of Recommend in English

Here are some synonyms and antonyms to expand your understanding of Recommend in English.

1. Recommend synonyms

Recommend synonyms

Meaning

Example

Give advice

/ɡɪv ədˈvaɪs/

to tell someone what they should do or how they should behave in a particular situation

He gave me some advice on how to survive in the jungle.

Counsel

/ˈkaʊn.səl/

to give advice, especially on social or personal problems

He counseled me on my job position. 

Advocate

/ˈæd.və.keɪt/

to publicly support or suggest an idea, development, or way of doing something

She advocated an ethical foreign policy. 

Suggest

/səˈdʒɛst/

to mention an idea, possible plan, or action for other people to consider

I suggest (that) we take a break and find something to eat. 

Instruct

/ɪnˈstrʌkt/

to order or tell someone to do something, especially in a formal way

I’ve instructed him to keep the room unlocked.

2. Antonyms of Recommend in English

Antonyms of Recommend in English

Meaning

Example

Dissuade

/dɪˈsweɪd/

to persuade someone not to do something

His friends tried to dissuade him from playing truant. 

Disadvise

/ˌdɪs.ədˈvaɪz/

to suggest that someone should not do something; to recommend against a particular action

I disadvise to take a long walk.

Urge not to

/ɜrdʒ nɒt tu/

to strongly advise someone against doing something; to encourage someone to refrain from a specific action

He urged me not to do something carelessly. 

Disapprove of

/ˌdɪsəˈpruːv əv/

to think that something is wrong, or to have a bad opinion about someone

I strongly disapprove of smoking. 

Persuade against

/pərˈsweɪd əˈɡɛnst/

to convince someone not to do something; to argue or influence someone to avoid a particular course of action

I persuade myself against wasting money. 

IV. Related words/phrases to Recommend in English

There are several related terms to Recommend in English that you should know and explore for use in exercises and tests.

Related words/phrases to Recommend in English

Example

Recommendation

The committee put forward thirty recommendations for improvement. 

Recommended

The doctor advised me to take the recommended daily intake of vitamins. 

Recommended daily allowance

The company provides the recommended daily allowance. 

Recommended retail price

The manufacturer offers a recommended retail price for Mary to quickly sell to the market. 

Related words/phrases to Recommend in English
Related words/phrases to Recommend in English

V. Distinguishing Recommend, Advise, Introduce, and Suggest

Let’s delve into the distinctions among these terms:

Words

Usage

Example

Recommend

  • Used to introduce or propose something to someone that you believe they would find interesting and should experience. 

  • The suggestion is entirely personal opinion; the speaker may or may not have expertise in the discussed area.

I recommend you should watch this movie. 

Advise

  • Used to give counsel in a specialized field. 

  • The advice comes from someone who has experienced the issue. 

  • This suggestion is often valuable and useful, so it should be heeded.

My teacher advised me that I should play with more friends. 

Introduce

Used to present or suggest someone or something to a person or group.

My friends introduced her to me because she is really kind. 

Suggest

  • It involves introducing someone to an idea or experience based on the speaker's personal opinion. 

  • The person making the recommendation may or may not have experience. 

  • The suggestion can carry either a positive or negative connotation.

They suggest eating out.

VI. Exercises on using Recommend in English with detailed answers

Let’s review with some practice questions below, so you can recall how Recommend in English is used and avoid confusion about "recommend to V" or "Ving," and what follows Recommend in English.

1. Exercise: Arrange the following words into complete meaningful sentences.

  1. studying online / Our teacher / during the epidemic / recommended.

➔………………………………………………………………………………………..

  1. a charity fund / They / for the poor/ raising / recommend. 

➔ ………………………………………………………………………………………..

  1. recommend / playing/ not / this game/ Our friends

➔ ………………………………………………………………………………………..

  1. Jane/ her boyfriend / to  / will recommend / her parents tomorrow. 

➔ ………………………………………………………………………………………..

  1. recommended / My mother/ work hard / to / me.

➔ ………………………………………………………………………………………..

2. Answer

  1. Our teacher recommended studying online during the pandemic.

  2. They recommend raising a charity fund for the poor.

  3. Our friends recommend not playing this game.

  4. Jane will recommend her boyfriend to her parents tomorrow.

  5. My mother recommended me to work hard.

The above insights from PREP cover the basic usage of Recommend in English commonly encountered in everyday communication, study, and work. You can also explore other common English structures compiled by PREP. Wishing you success!

Master Tu Pham
Master Tu Pham
Founder/CEO at Prep
Founder of Prep Smart Test Preparation Platform. With over 10 years of experience in teaching and test preparation, Mr. Tú has helped thousands of students achieve high scores in the IELTS exam. In addition, Mr. Tú Phạm is also a consulting expert in British Council programs and a speaker at many leading educational events, programs, and conferences.
View more

Comment

0/300 characters