recommend a course of action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recommend a course of action" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting a specific plan or strategy to address a situation or problem. Example: "After reviewing the data, I would like to recommend a course of action to improve our sales performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

QUESTION FROM LYNNE: You illustrate the complexity of the situation but you don't recommend a course of action yourself.

The New Yorker

The board "will recommend a course of action that is in the best interests of Inmet and its stakeholders," the company said in a brief statement.

The New York Times

The city's Rent Board, which otherwise vigorously defends tenants' rights, has no jurisdiction and could not recommend a course of action.

The New York Times

In a report scheduled for release this week, the Special Commission on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion was expected to recommend a course of action that amounts to a step-down on several contentious points.

The New Yorker

In short, a group of people with no political agenda who can quickly review the available data and recommend a course of action for Congress to take by the spring of 2013.

The New York Times

Questions | For reading comprehension and discussion: Simulation: Research and Opening Statements (Part 1) Explain to students that they will be assigned to research and recommend a course of action for the United States.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Congress has never recommended a course of action for the statue parks, but has previously strongly condemned the waste of public funds.

The New York Times

(The party won just 28 seats in Uttar Pradesh, so is unlikely to be recommending a course of action in the state in the near future).

The New York Times

He recommended a course of action that he said would accomplish the most repairs in two hours and proposed leaving the dishwasher and suspected leak for last because those jobs looked more time-consuming.

The New York Times - Tech

KPN added that it would examine the offer before recommending a course of action to shareholders, and it added that it could still continue to pursue the potential sale of E-Plus to Telefónica.

The New York Times

McCain told me that he was astonished: "There may be another time in history when a President's entire national-security team recommended a course of action and he overruled them, but if there is I'm not aware of it".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "recommend a course of action", ensure that the recommended action is clearly defined and justified with evidence or reasoning to enhance its persuasiveness.

Common error

Avoid presenting "recommend a course of action" as a guaranteed solution. Acknowledge potential risks and uncertainties to maintain credibility and encourage a balanced evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recommend a course of action" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence. It typically appears as part of a larger clause where someone is suggesting or advising a particular approach or strategy. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

22%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

16%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "recommend a course of action" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that conveys the suggestion of a specific plan or strategy. As Ludwig confirms, it's appropriate for use in a variety of contexts, ranging from news reports to professional consultations. While alternatives such as "suggest a plan of action" or "advise on a strategy" exist, "recommend a course of action" holds its own as a clear and versatile option. When using this phrase, prioritize clarity and support your recommendation with sound reasoning to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggest a plan of action

Replaces "recommend" with "suggest" and "course" with "plan", slightly softening the directive tone.

advise on a strategy

Uses "advise" instead of "recommend" and focuses on the strategic aspect of the action.

propose a method

Offers a more specific and technical alternative, focusing on the methodology.

counsel a procedure

Replaces "recommend" with "counsel", which implies a more advisory role, and replaces 'course of action' with 'procedure'.

endorse a solution

Indicates stronger support for a specific solution.

prescribe a treatment

Implies a more authoritative recommendation, similar to a medical prescription.

guide a process

Focuses on providing guidance throughout a process rather than just recommending an action.

steer toward a decision

Highlights the act of influencing a decision-making process.

offer guidance on tactics

Provides assistance on specific tactics rather than a broad course of action.

point to a direction

Suggests a general direction rather than a detailed action plan.

FAQs

What does "recommend a course of action" mean?

It means to suggest a specific plan or strategy to address a problem or achieve a goal. It implies giving advice on what steps to take.

How can I use "recommend a course of action" in a sentence?

You might say, "Based on our findings, I "recommend a course of action" that prioritizes customer retention."

What are some alternatives to "recommend a course of action"?

Alternatives include "suggest a plan of action", "advise on a strategy", or "propose a method", depending on the context.

Is it better to "recommend a course of action" or "prescribe a course of action"?

"Recommend a course of action" is generally suitable. "Prescribe a course of action" is stronger and often used when the recommendation carries more authority or is akin to a medical prescription.