recommendations

IPA/ˌrek.ə.menˈdeɪ.ʃən/
KK[rˌɛkəməndˈeʃənz]IPA/ˌrek.ə.menˈdeɪ.ʃən/

recommendations — noun

  • recommendationssingular
  • recommendationsesplural

1. statements or letters saying that a person, product, or plan should be chosen be

1.nounB2
Definition

statements or letters saying that a person, product, or plan should be chosen because it fits a role or need well.

Example

We booked the guesthouse on Bao's recommendations after the hiking trip.

pattern: on someone's recommendations

The manager read three recommendations before choosing a new sales assistant.

Common collocations
  • job recommendations
  • restaurant recommendations
  • personal recommendations
  • recommendations from teachers
Synonyms
  • endorsements

    more public or official expressions of approval

  • references

    usually written or spoken support for a person's character or ability

  • referrals

    focuses on directing someone to a specific service or person

Antonyms
  • criticisms

    comments that point out faults instead of support

Grammar Patterns

recommendations for [job/product/service]

recommendations from [teacher/expert/friend]

on someone's recommendations

write recommendations for [person]

Usage Note

Often refers to support that helps someone choose a person, service, or product. Common with for, from, and on when you name what is being chosen or who gave the support.

Common Mistakes

I need two suggestions from my teachers for this job.
I need two recommendations from my teachers for this job.
For support that helps someone get work or study, recommendation is the normal word.

2. advice from a doctor, committee, or report about the actions they think people o

2.nounB2
Definition

advice from a doctor, committee, or report about the actions they think people ought to take.

Example

The safety report made five recommendations after the factory fire.

make recommendations

Jude ignored the doctor's recommendations and went back to work early.

Common collocations
  • official recommendations
  • medical recommendations
  • expert recommendations
  • policy recommendations
Synonyms
  • advice

    broader and less formal than recommendations

  • guidance

    stresses direction and support over a single action

  • proposals

    formal plans offered for discussion, not always expert advice

Antonyms
  • warnings

    messages about danger rather than suggested action

Grammar Patterns

make recommendations

follow recommendations

recommendations about/on [issue]

based on recommendations

Usage Note

Common in official, medical, and professional settings. Usually points to actions people are expected to follow, not just ideas they may consider casually.

Common Mistakes

The report gave some suggestions about hospital safety.
The report gave some recommendations about hospital safety.
In formal reports, recommendation is the usual word for actions people should take.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Advice is the widest term here and can come from almost anyone, in either formal or informal situations. Suggestions are lighter and more optional: they present an idea, but they do not strongly push one choice above the rest. Recommendations are firmer. They usually come after someone has judged the options and now supports a particular action or choice. Guidance often suggests a longer process of direction, such as helping a student or employee over time rather than naming one step. For example, a friend may offer advice about a trip, a colleague may make a suggestion about lunch, but a doctor or review panel usually gives recommendations.

recommendations ↗advice ↗suggestions ↗guidance ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • make recommendations
  • based on recommendations
  • follow recommendations

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Recommendations is the plural form of recommendation. Recommendation came into English through French from Latin recommendare, a verb built from re-, meaning back or again, and commendare, meaning to entrust or praise. The older idea was to place a person or thing in someone else's care or favor. From there, the word developed the modern sense of supporting a choice by saying that someone or something deserves trust.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a