Using recommend, suggest and advise

How to use recommend, advise and suggest

Three verbs that are similar, but different!

suggest is more informal and is used to express an idea or opinion

​recommend is used when the speaker is giving a suggestion based on personal experience

Suggest & recommend

This verb is the most formal of the three, implying a certain level of seriousness

Advise

Differences in connotations?

1a. Followed by a noun object

​Pattern: recommend/suggest/advise + noun

• He recommended the restaurant down the street.

• The designer suggested blue for the living room.

• The doctor advised exercise after my heart attack

• Using advise + noun phrase tends to be more formal, when the person advising is a figure of authority

• e.g. My teacher advised caution when using the verb "to recommend".

  
  
  

1b. Followed by a noun phrase + person

​Pattern: recommend/suggest + noun phrase + to person

• He recommended / suggested the restaurant down the street to us.

• The manager advised us about the new protocols.
  
  

​ advise + person + prepositional phrase

In the passive form

• Caution is advised when using heavy equipment.

• The minister was advised by a team of experts.

• This restaurant was recommended by our friends.

• Blue has been suggested for our living room.

2. Followed by a verb form

​a) + verb -ing

• I recommend keeping an egg timer by the computer.

• I suggest keeping an egg timer by the computer.

• I advise keeping an egg timer by the computer.

  NB The person receiving the communication is not mentioned.

  
  
  

2. Followed by a verb form

​b) + that clause

• I recommend (that) addicts keep an egg timer by the computer.

• I suggest (that) addicts keep an egg timer by the computer.

• I advise that you keep an egg timer by the computer.

  NB Advise is more normally followed by person + infinitive:

• I advise addicts to keep an egg timer by the computer.

  
  
  

2. Followed by a verb form

​c) in the passive + infinitive

• Addicts are recommended to keep an egg timer by the computer.

• Addicts are advised to keep an egg timer by the computer.

  NB Suggest cannot be used in the passive with a personal subject.

  ✘ **We were suggested to go to the restaurant down the road.** 👎

  
  
  

In British English, it is common to also use the modal verb should in the that clause. When the verb of advice is in the past, we also frequently use the past tense in the that clause, rather than the subjunctive.
Her uncle suggests that she gets a job in a bank.
Her uncle suggested that she got a job in a bank.
Her uncle suggests that she should get a job in a bank.

also with should or past tense (Br.E.)

Particularly in American English the correct verb form in the that clause is always the subjunctive (i.e. the base form)
My friend recommends / suggested that he take a taxi.
She is advising that we finish our project today.

​with subjunctive (Am.E.)

More about 2b: the that clause

Multiple Choice

Which of the following verbs is the most formal and is usually used when someone with authority or expertise gives a strong suggestion?

• Advise

• Suggest

• All of the above

• Recommend

Multiple Choice

What are the two verbs that are sometimes used interchangeably in common, everyday English?

• Advise and Suggest

• Suggest and Recommend

• None of the above

• Advise and Recommend

Multiple Choice

Which verb is used when someone is making a suggestion based on his or her personal experience?

• None of the above

• Recommend

• Suggest

• Advise

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a correct sentence pattern using the verb 'recommend' to address internet addiction?

• My friend recommended that I limit my screen time to combat internet addiction.

• The therapist recommended you should take a break from social media.

• None of the above

• She recommended to me a website to help with internet addiction.

Multiple Choice

Which verb can be followed by a gerund?

• Advise

• Suggest

• All of the above

• Recommend

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a correct sentence pattern using the verb 'advise'?

• Our boss advised that the team should finish the project before the holiday.

• All of the above

• Toni advises that we hit the road by 6 in the morning.

• I advise that he bring warmer clothing.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a correct sentence pattern using the verb 'suggest'?

• May I suggest limiting your screen time to combat internet addiction?

• None of the above

• Our parents suggested against excessive use of social media to address internet addiction.

• My therapist suggests me to take regular breaks from digital devices to manage internet addiction.

Multiple Select

Which sentences would NOT be normal in American English?

• We suggested that the boys switched off their mobiles before they went to bed.

• I recommend that you should delete your Facebook account.

• My teacher recommends that we use books in the library to find the information instead of googling it!

• I suggested that he look the answer up online.