recommend
How to use Recommend and Suggest
Meanings
First of all, what’s the difference in meaning between recommend and suggest?
Well, the answer is that the two verbs are very similar in meaning. They are almost synonymous. However, according to the Oxford dictionary, the basic definitions are as follows:
To suggest: in relation to giving advice, means to propose something or someone for consideration.
To recommend: in relation to giving advice, means to propose something or someone as a preferred course of action.
Usage
Suggest and recommend use the same word order and structures.
There are three options for using them both:
Option 1
Recommend/suggest + verb + ing
Examples
a) I recommend waiting
for the court’s judgment before we decide what to do.
b) We suggested taking
a break before carrying on with the meeting.
c) The lawyer recommends calling
the tax authority to see if a settlement can be negotiated.
This structure is useful when we do not wish to indicate who will do the action, as in example (c), we don't say who will call the tax authority.
Also, it is useful when, in the context, we already understand who will do the action, as in example (b), we will take a break.
Option 2
Recommend/suggest (that) + subject + should + verb
Examples
a) Gavin has suggested that Pauline should become
the team leader.
b) We recommend the defendant should be represented
at the hearing.
c) They are suggesting that the parties should sign
the contract before they do business together.
Note that ‘that’ is optional, you do not have to use it, although the sentence sounds more formal if you do.
This structure is useful in two ways:
i. We can name the person who will do the action, unlike in option 1 above.
ii. We are using ‘should’ to emphasize fact that this is advice.
Option 3
Recommend/suggest (that) + subject + verb
Examples
a) Lena suggested that Harry and Jorge speak
at the seminar.
b) Gabby recommended that Gary continue
as CEO until a new one is appointed.
c) We suggest the bill be paid
before any further work is carried out.
Note that ‘that’ is also optional as in option 2 above.
Note also that the subjunctive is used after suggest/recommend, so the ‘s’ is not used in the third person singular, as in example (2). Similarly, ‘be’ is used in place of ‘is’ in example (c).
For a more detailed look at the subjunctive in English, see here.