the recommendation was that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the recommendation was that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a suggestion or advice that has been formally made regarding a particular course of action. Example: "The recommendation was that the committee should meet quarterly to review progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"The recommendation was that someone, one organization, be in charge of the operations at Abu Ghraib," he said.

The New York Times

"The recommendation was that prisoners should be locked up in the dark cells for no more than three days, but Oscar Wilde was actually kept there for two weeks, as punishment for talking to another prisoner in the chapel," said Emily O'Neil, who has written the guide for the National Trust.

The Guardian

One area it focused on was public transport, and the recommendation was that Delhi's buses be fitted with GPS tracking devices and CCTV or web cams.

BBC

Therefore, the recommendation was that RH should be considered for the cases with stage II endometrial cancers (NCCN Guidelines, 2013).

British Journal of Cancer

The recommendation was that all pregnant women should be vaccinated at any point during gestation or puerperium during the influenza season.

British Medical Journal

In addition the recommendation was that future studies should assess women's views of care and evaluate women's process of decision-making [ 25].

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

While few Americans even know what the recommendations were, that sounds good, too.

The Economist

The recommendation is that "we should start over," the official said.

The New York Times

The second problem with the recommendation is that you cannot have success simply by willing it.

The Economist

If the recommendation is that the convention not touch expenditures, delegates will have to shift the property tax burden to new sources.

The New York Times

The recommendation is that women under 65 who eat a well balanced diet are probably getting the right amount of calcium, namely 1000-1500mgs a day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the recommendation was that" to clearly and formally introduce a specific piece of advice or a suggested course of action. This construction is particularly effective when summarizing reports, presenting findings, or outlining official procedures.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses within the sentence. If "the recommendation was that", ensure the subsequent clause uses a verb tense that logically follows the past tense. For example, "The recommendation was that the system be updated," not "The recommendation was that the system will be updated."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the recommendation was that" functions as a sentence introducer or a reporting clause, presenting a specific suggestion or piece of advice. Ludwig AI examples show it is often followed by a that-clause outlining the details of the recommendation. It serves to formally introduce a proposed course of action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the recommendation was that" is a grammatically correct and usable English expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves as a formal way to introduce a piece of advice or a proposed action. While not extremely frequent, it is commonly found in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure tense consistency and choose it appropriately for formal settings. Related phrases offer alternatives with slight variations in emphasis and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was recommended that

Replaces the noun phrase "the recommendation" with a passive construction, slightly altering the emphasis.

the suggestion was that

Substitutes "recommendation" with "suggestion", indicating a less formal piece of advice.

the proposal was that

Replaces "recommendation" with "proposal", suggesting a more formal and structured suggestion.

it is advised that

Uses a passive voice construction, offering a more direct and less descriptive way to introduce the advice.

the advice was that

Employs "advice" instead of "recommendation", leaning towards a more informal tone.

the consensus was that

Indicates agreement among a group, adding emphasis to the collective nature of the suggestion.

the directive was that

Replaces "recommendation" with "directive", implying a more authoritative and mandatory instruction.

the decision was that

Shifts the focus to a decision made, rather than a suggestion.

the conclusion was that

Highlights the outcome of a deliberation, indicating a settled point rather than a suggestion.

the finding was that

Focuses on a discovery or result, framing the subsequent statement as a factual outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "the recommendation was that" in a sentence?

Use "the recommendation was that" to introduce a formal suggestion or advice derived from an evaluation or investigation. For example, "The recommendation was that all employees undergo safety training."

What are some alternatives to "the recommendation was that"?

Alternatives include "it was recommended that", "the suggestion was that", or "the advice was that", depending on the level of formality required.

Is "the recommendation was that" formal or informal?

"The recommendation was that" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for professional or academic contexts. For informal situations, phrases like "they suggested" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "the recommendation was that" and "it was recommended that"?

Both phrases convey the same meaning, but "the recommendation was that" emphasizes the recommendation itself, while "it was recommended that" emphasizes the act of recommending. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.