Suggest vs Recommend: What's the Difference?
What's the Difference?
The words suggest and recommend both mean to make a suggestion; however, recommend generally carries a stronger or more expert tone of advice.
Memory Tip: suggest = simple hint, recommend = expert advice
suggest has /səˈdʒest/, recommend has /ˌrekəˈmend/
suggest /səˈdʒɛst/
verbTo give advice or an idea about what someone should do.
Example:
If you want to improve your English, I suggest watching movies with subtitles.
Common patterns:
suggest doing something
suggest that someone do something
recommend /ˌrɛkəˈmɛnd/
verbTo suggest something as a good choice or course of action.
Example:
If you want a good book to read, I recommend the one that won the award last year.
Common patterns:
recommend something
recommend doing something
Common Mistakes
I suggest using this medicine for faster recovery.
I recommend using this medicine for faster recovery.
Recommend is more appropriate as it implies a stronger, expert advice often used in medical contexts.
The teacher recommended we try the new restaurant in town.
The teacher suggested we try the new restaurant in town.
Suggest is more suitable here as it implies a casual or informal advice, not requiring expertise.
Quick Practice
0/2 correct1. If you want to improve your English, I ____ watching movies with subtitles.
2. If you want a good book to read, I ____ the one that won the award last year.
Other Confusing Words
Never confuse suggest / recommend again
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