they recommended that

USAGE SUMMARY

"they recommended that" is a correct sentence fragment and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to introduce a recommendation. For example, "They recommended that we switch to renewable energy sources as soon as possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They recommended that police make further inquiries.

Independent

They recommended that they be consulted.

The New York Times

They recommended that the government restart the recruitment process.

The Guardian

They recommended that 300 to 600 of the residents leave the area.

The New York Times

They recommended that young people take courses for further "training or re-training".

The New York Times

They recommended that he be charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

The New York Times

They recommended that the money be returned to the federal government.

The New York Times

They recommended that the two manufacturers incorporate the best of both designs in their future cockpits.

The New York Times - Arts

They recommended that lenders use the code but did not require it.

The New York Times

"They recommended that I at least look into sperm banking," he said.

The New York Times

They recommended that teachers spend less time on computational drills and more on data analysis, probability and reasoning.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they recommended that", ensure the subject "they" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the group or individuals making the recommendation: "The doctors recommended that...".

Common error

A common error is using "they recommended that" without clearly specifying who "they" refers to. Always ensure the subject is clear to avoid confusion and maintain clarity in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they recommended that" serves as a reporting clause that introduces a recommendation or advice provided by a group of people. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English to introduce a recommendation. The examples show the use of the phrase in diverse contexts, mainly in news and scientific publications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

46%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they recommended that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to introduce advice or suggestions from a group, according to Ludwig AI. It's particularly prevalent in news and scientific reporting, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure the subject "they" is clearly defined and consider alternatives like "they suggested that" for nuanced communication. The phrase's communicative purpose involves conveying expert or authoritative endorsement of specific actions, making it a valuable tool for relaying informed advice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they suggested that

Uses 'suggested' instead of 'recommended', implying a less forceful endorsement.

their recommendation was that

Rephrases as a noun phrase, emphasizing the recommendation itself.

they proposed that

Employs 'proposed' to suggest a more formal or innovative suggestion.

they advised that

Substitutes 'recommended' with 'advised', indicating a focus on guidance.

it was their recommendation that

Emphasizes the recommendation by placing it at the beginning of the sentence.

they urged that

Uses 'urged' to convey a stronger sense of necessity or importance.

they advocated that

Replaces 'recommended' with 'advocated', highlighting a public endorsement.

they counseled that

Replaces 'recommended' with 'counseled' highlighting the function of giving advice.

their suggestion was to

Modifies the sentence structure to use 'suggestion' with an infinitive.

they believed it would be best to

Indicates a belief about the best course of action, rather than a direct recommendation.

FAQs

How can I use "they recommended that" in a sentence?

The phrase "they recommended that" is used to introduce a suggestion or advice from a group of people. For example: "After reviewing the data, they recommended that the project be delayed".

What are some alternatives to "they recommended that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "they suggested that", "their recommendation was that", or "they advised that", which offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone.

Is it always necessary to use "that" after "they recommended"?

While grammatically correct, the "that" after "they recommended" is often omitted in modern usage, especially in informal contexts. However, including "that" can enhance clarity and formality. So, you can write both "They recommended that we invest more in research" and "They recommended we invest more in research".

What's the difference between "they recommended that" and "they suggested that"?

While both phrases introduce advice, "they recommended that" implies a stronger endorsement and more formal evaluation than "they suggested that". A recommendation often follows a thorough analysis, while a suggestion might be a more casual piece of advice.