recommendatory
recommendatory — adjective
- recommendatorypositive
- more recommendatorycomparative
- most recommendatorysuperlative
1. expressing praise or approval toward someone or something, often in a way that m
expressing praise or approval toward someone or something, often in a way that makes others see them in a good light — for example, a letter that says positive things about a job applicant.
Professor Okafor wrote a recommendatory letter for Anjali when she applied to graduate school.
collocation: recommendatory letter
The theatre critic's recommendatory review helped the small play sell out every night.
Felix received several recommendatory comments from senior partners after his presentation.
The manager wrote a recommendatory note about Sana's work for the annual staff review.
- commendatory
nearly identical in meaning; slightly more common in religious or ceremonial contexts
- laudatory
stronger praise, often for achievements; less common in job-reference contexts
- approving
simpler, everyday word; far less formal than recommendatory
- critical
expresses fault-finding rather than praise
- disapproving
general opposite; shows a negative judgment
用法筆記
Almost exclusively found in formal written contexts such as letters of recommendation, official reviews, and academic references. Rare in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
2. offered as a suggestion that guides but does not force a decision; describing do
offered as a suggestion that guides but does not force a decision; describing documents, opinions, or groups that advise rather than give binding orders — for example, a committee report that recommends changes but leaves the final call to someone else.
The ethics committee issued a recommendatory report, leaving the final decision to the board.
collocation: recommendatory report
Her role on the panel was purely recommendatory, so the minister could ignore her suggestions.
pattern: purely recommendatory
Takeshi drafted a recommendatory guideline for the new data-protection policy.
The court's recommendatory opinion on the land dispute carried no legal force.
- advisory
more common than recommendatory; used across legal, business, and everyday contexts
- non-binding
explicitly states there is no legal obligation; more technical
- suggestive
less formal; implies a gentle hint rather than a formal recommendation
用法筆記
Describes documents, opinions, or groups whose output carries no binding force. Often paired with report, opinion, or body (e.g. recommendatory body). Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about the form (a recommendation, not an order), not the tone (praise).