- Do you ever wonder if you’re using “recommendation” naturally in English?
- Are you unsure which verbs or adjectives pair best with “recommendation” to sound more fluent?
- Have you struggled to get a job or university acceptance because your recommendation letters didn’t sound quite right?
Mastering collocations isn’t just about memorizing words; it’s about understanding how native speakers naturally combine them. For a word like “recommendation,” knowing its common partners helps you express yourself more precisely, avoid awkward phrasing, and significantly boost your fluency and confidence, whether you’re asking for advice, writing a review, or seeking a job.
Essential Collocations using RECOMMENDATION as a Noun
Verbs that pair with “Recommendation”
These verbs describe actions you take with a recommendation.
- make a recommendation: To suggest something or someone for a particular purpose.
- The committee will make a recommendation for the new policy next week.
- Could you please make a recommendation for a good Italian restaurant?
- give a recommendation: Similar to “make,” often implying sharing advice or a referral.
- My professor gave a strong recommendation for my graduate school application.
- The consultant gave a recommendation to overhaul the entire system.
- offer a recommendation: To present a suggestion, often unsolicited but helpful.
- She offered a recommendation for a reliable car mechanic.
- We are always happy to offer a recommendation to our clients.
- provide a recommendation: To supply or furnish a recommendation, often in a formal context.
- Applicants must provide a recommendation from their previous employer.
- The report aims to provide clear recommendations for future action.
- seek/solicit a recommendation: To ask for or try to obtain a recommendation.
- I need to seek a recommendation from my former manager for the new role.
- The company is soliciting recommendations for improving customer service.
- receive a recommendation: To get a recommendation from someone else.
- He was delighted to receive a glowing recommendation from his mentor.
- We received a recommendation to try the local seafood.
- accept a recommendation: To agree to or follow a suggestion.
- The board voted to accept the committee’s recommendation.
- She decided to accept her friend’s recommendation and visit Japan.
- follow a recommendation: To act according to a suggestion or advice.
- If you follow my recommendation, you’ll save a lot of time.
- They followed the doctor’s recommendation for rest and medication.
- endorse a recommendation: To publicly support or approve a recommendation.
- The CEO decided to endorse the recommendation for restructuring.
- The consumer group strongly endorsed the recommendation for safer products.
- reject/disregard a recommendation: To refuse or ignore a suggestion.
- Despite the expert’s advice, the government chose to reject the recommendation.
- Unfortunately, he chose to disregard her recommendation, with negative consequences.
Adjectives that describe “Recommendation”
These adjectives help you specify the nature or quality of a recommendation.
- strong recommendation: A very positive or forceful suggestion.
- His previous employer gave him a strong recommendation for the new position.
- The financial advisor made a strong recommendation to diversify investments.
- glowing recommendation: An extremely positive and enthusiastic recommendation.
- She received a glowing recommendation from her internship supervisor.
- The restaurant got a glowing recommendation in the local food blog.
- personal recommendation: A suggestion based on one’s own direct experience or knowledge of a person.
- I can give you a personal recommendation for that language school.
- Many people trust a personal recommendation more than an advertisement.
- official recommendation: A formal suggestion, often from an authoritative source.
- The safety board issued an official recommendation to improve bridge maintenance.
- You’ll need an official recommendation from the faculty head.
- unsolicited recommendation: A suggestion given without being asked.
- He gave an unsolicited recommendation for a new project management tool.
- Sometimes an unsolicited recommendation can be the most helpful.
- specific recommendation: A clear, detailed suggestion rather than a general one.
- The report includes specific recommendations for reducing waste.
- Could you give me a more specific recommendation for a study method?
- general recommendation: A broad or less detailed suggestion.
- I can only give you a general recommendation; the specifics are up to you.
- The doctor gave a general recommendation to eat more vegetables.
- written recommendation: A recommendation provided in written form, such as a letter.
- For your application, you’ll need a written recommendation from a supervisor.
- Always ask for a written recommendation to avoid misunderstandings.
- expert recommendation: A suggestion given by someone with deep knowledge in a particular field.
- We rely on expert recommendations when developing new products.
- His expert recommendation saved the company a lot of money.
Prepositions that follow “Recommendation”
These prepositions help link a recommendation to its subject, source, or purpose.
- recommendation for: Indicates the thing or action being recommended.
- We received a recommendation for a new software system.
- Do you have any recommendations for a good book?
- recommendation on: Similar to “for,” often used when discussing a topic or area.
- The panel offered a recommendation on best practices for online security.
- Their report gave recommendations on how to improve public transport.
- recommendation by: Specifies who made the recommendation.
- This outstanding review is a recommendation by a respected critic.
- The new policy was adopted based on a recommendation by the CEO.
- recommendation from: Indicates the source of the recommendation.
- I have a recommendation from my former employer.
- A recommendation from a trusted friend is invaluable.
- recommendation to: Indicates who the recommendation is given to, or the action it leads to.
- They made a recommendation to the board to approve the merger.
- I gave him a recommendation to visit the new art exhibition.
Master Summary: Key Collocations with RECOMMENDATION
Here’s a quick reference table of the most important collocations to remember:
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| make a recommendation | Verb + Noun | To suggest something or someone |
| give a recommendation | Verb + Noun | To provide advice or a referral |
| receive a recommendation | Verb + Noun | To get a suggestion from someone |
| follow a recommendation | Verb + Noun | To act on advice given |
| strong recommendation | Adjective + Noun | A very positive or forceful suggestion |
| glowing recommendation | Adjective + Noun | An extremely positive and enthusiastic suggestion |
| personal recommendation | Adjective + Noun | A suggestion based on direct experience |
| expert recommendation | Adjective + Noun | A suggestion from a knowledgeable person |
| recommendation for | Noun + Preposition | The subject or purpose of the recommendation |
| recommendation from | Noun + Preposition | The source of the recommendation |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
English learners often make direct translations from their native languages, which can lead to awkward or incorrect collocations. Here’s how to sound more natural when using “recommendation”:
| Do Not Say (Unnatural) | Say This (Natural) |
|---|---|
|
|
Make a recommendation / Give a recommendation |
|
|
Give a recommendation / Offer a recommendation |
|
|
Strong recommendation / Glowing recommendation |
|
|
A recommendation (advice is often implied, or specify: a recommendation for advice) |
|
|
Recommendation on / Recommendation for |
|
|
I need a recommendation for a job / I need a letter of recommendation for my job application |
Subject: Follow-up on Project Synergy Meeting
Dear Team,
I hope this email finds you well. Following our productive meeting yesterday, I wanted to summarize a few key points. First, based on Sarah’s excellent presentation, I’d like to make a strong recommendation that we adopt her proposed marketing strategy for the Q3 launch. Her data provided a solid basis for this. Additionally, the IT department received an expert recommendation from our external consultant regarding the new software. We are currently reviewing this. Finally, please remember to provide a written recommendation if you know anyone suitable for the Senior Analyst role we discussed. Your personal recommendation holds significant weight. Let’s aim to follow these recommendations to ensure the project’s success. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or wish to offer a recommendation of your own.
Best regards,
James Chen
Frequently Asked Questions about Recommendation Collocations
What is the difference between “recommendation for” and “recommendation on”?
Both prepositions are very similar and often interchangeable when talking about the subject of the recommendation. However, “recommendation on” can sometimes imply a more formal, detailed report or discussion about a topic, while “recommendation for” often suggests a specific item or action. For example, “a recommendation for a new restaurant” (specific item) vs. “a recommendation on how to improve efficiency” (broader topic of discussion).
Can I use “suggest” instead of “make a recommendation”?
Yes, “suggest” is often a suitable synonym for “make a recommendation,” especially in less formal contexts. For instance, “I suggest we go to the Italian restaurant” is common. However, “make a recommendation” often carries a slightly more formal or official tone, particularly when referring to formal proposals, endorsements, or advice from experts. “Suggestion” is the noun form, and it collocates similarly to “recommendation” (e.g., “make a suggestion,” “offer a suggestion”).
What’s the best way to ask for a letter of recommendation?
When asking for a letter of recommendation, it’s polite and professional to clearly state what it’s for, by when you need it, and to provide the person with all necessary information (e.g., your resume, the job/program description, application deadlines). You might say: “Would you be willing to write a recommendation for me for [position/program]?” or “I would be very grateful if you could provide a recommendation letter for my university application.” Always give them plenty of notice!
Is “recommendation letter” the same as “letter of recommendation”?
Yes, both terms are widely used and understood to mean the same thing, particularly in American English. “Letter of recommendation” is perhaps slightly more formal and traditional, while “recommendation letter” is very common in everyday usage and equally correct. Both refer to a formal document supporting a person’s application or qualifications.
How can I describe a very good recommendation?
To describe a very good recommendation, you can use adjectives like strong recommendation, glowing recommendation, enthusiastic recommendation, or excellent recommendation. These all convey a high level of approval and positive endorsement.
This was so useful! I never considered the subtle differences between 'make,' 'give,' and 'offer.' My fluency feels like it's improving already!
Are there any common mistakes native speakers make with 'recommendation' collocations, or is it mostly non-natives who struggle?
That's an insightful question, Noah! While non-native speakers often face challenges with collocations due to direct translation, native speakers can sometimes use less precise or slightly awkward phrasing too, especially in very formal or specific contexts where a particular collocation might be expected. However, for everyday usage, native speakers typically use the common pairings instinctively. The goal for all learners is to develop that same instinct!
Excellent breakdown! The examples are super clear. I'm saving this post to practice these phrases!
This is great! Any chance you'll cover collocations for 'advice' next? I find those tricky too.
Thanks, Liam! We're glad you enjoyed it. 'Advice' is definitely another word with many interesting collocations and nuances, similar to 'recommendation.' That's a fantastic idea for a future article – we'll add it to our content plan!
I've seen 'endorse a recommendation' in some business reports. Is that a more formal synonym for 'support a recommendation'?
What about 'seek a recommendation'? Is that correct for when you ask someone to give you one?
Yes, Kenji, 'seek a recommendation' is perfectly correct and a very good collocation! It means to ask for or try to obtain a recommendation. It's often used when you are actively looking for someone to provide a positive endorsement for you, for example, 'I need to seek a recommendation from my former manager for this scholarship.' Excellent vocabulary expansion!
This makes so much sense! I remember writing a 'recommendation email' for a colleague and struggling with the opening verb. Wish I had this article then!
Is 'submit a recommendation' also a common collocation, especially in academic or professional contexts? Like when you send a letter?
Yes, absolutely, Omar! 'Submit a recommendation' is a very common and appropriate collocation, particularly in academic and professional contexts, referring to the act of formally sending in a recommendation letter or form. Great point to bring up!
I appreciate the focus on 'sounding natural.' That's my biggest goal as an English learner. This article truly helps.
Could we also talk about adjectives that go with 'recommendation'? Like 'strong recommendation' or 'wholehearted recommendation'? I always hear those too.
That's a brilliant suggestion, Diego! Adjectives like 'strong,' 'wholehearted,' 'glowing,' 'enthusiastic,' 'unreserved,' and 'personal' definitely enhance the meaning of 'recommendation.' We'll keep that in mind for a future follow-up post. Thanks for the inspiration!