make a recommendation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make a recommendation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are advising someone to take an action or make a decision. For example: "I recommend that you make a reservation at the restaurant before going."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hoover declined to make a recommendation.

The New Yorker

"I'm planning to make a recommendation.

The New York Times

Tagliabue will not make a recommendation to the owners.

The New York Times

It is then to make a recommendation to the president.

The New York Times

"I don't make a recommendation about that," Ms. Metz says.

The New York Times

Occasionally, the Roman Pontiff would try to make a recommendation.

The New Yorker

The board will then make a recommendation to Perry.

The Guardian

Tagliabue said he would not make a recommendation to owners.

The New York Times

The commission is due to make a recommendation next month.

The Guardian

The firm will also make a recommendation to the mayor.

The Washington Post

"We want to make a recommendation on where the national interest lies".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a recommendation", ensure it's followed by a clear and actionable suggestion. Avoid ambiguity by specifying what you are recommending and why.

Common error

Avoid ending your analysis with a general call to "make a recommendation" without providing specific details. Always ensure your recommendation is concrete and directly addresses the issue at hand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a recommendation" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to introduce a formal suggestion or advice based on evaluation or analysis. Ludwig examples illustrate its role in contexts where decisions or actions are needed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a recommendation" is a common and grammatically correct way to offer advice or suggest a course of action. As Ludwig AI explains, it is widely used across different contexts, from news reports to academic papers. To use the phrase effectively, ensure your recommendation is specific and actionable. While alternatives like "offer guidance" or "present a recommendation" can be used, "make a recommendation" specifically implies a formal suggestion, making it suitable for professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Present a recommendation

Highlights the act of formally offering a suggestion.

Submit a recommendation

Highlights the action of formally submitting a recommendation.

Offer guidance

Focuses on providing direction rather than a specific choice.

Put forward a suggestion

More tentative, implying less conviction.

Propose a solution

Implies addressing a problem with a suggested fix.

Endorse an option

Formally support a particular choice.

Give advice

General counsel, not necessarily tied to a decision.

Formulate a proposal

Suggests a structured and detailed suggestion.

Advocate for a course of action

Stronger, implying active support for a particular option.

Point towards a direction

Subtler form of guidance, less direct.

FAQs

How do I use "make a recommendation" in a sentence?

You can use "make a recommendation" when you want to advise someone to take an action or make a decision. For example, "I will make a recommendation to the board regarding the proposed changes".

What can I say instead of "make a recommendation"?

You can use alternatives like "offer guidance", "propose a solution", or "present a recommendation" depending on the context.

Is it better to "make a recommendation" or "provide feedback"?

While both involve offering input, "make a recommendation" implies a specific course of action. "Provide feedback" is broader and may not include a suggested solution.

What's the difference between "make a recommendation" and "make a suggestion"?

"Make a recommendation" usually implies a more formal and considered opinion, often based on expertise or analysis. "Make a suggestion" is generally less formal and can be more off-the-cuff.