were recommended to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were recommended to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone was advised or suggested to do something by another party. Example: "The students were recommended to attend the workshop for additional learning opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both were recommended to me last year by a dermatologist.

The New Yorker

She tried antidepressants, which were recommended to her by psychologists.

The New York Times

Debt relief orders were recommended to 4.8% of clients in the first six months of 2010.

The Guardian - Money

"Managers were recommended to our consulting clients solely on the basis of merit," the company said yesterday.

The New York Times

Many designers were recommended to the first lady by her assistant and style adviser, Meredith Koop.

The New York Times

Such walking frames were recommended to the tetraplegic patients.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Some were recommended to us and entered into our applicant tracking system by employees here.

TechCrunch

The patients were recommended to apply cold compresses after the surgery.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

These functions were recommended to be independent from smartphones, thus, the wearables are necessary in themselves.

Fashion and Textiles

All patients were recommended to move the elbow and shoulder, avoiding stiffness.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

The patients were recommended to inform the dentist immediately if suspecting a detachment.

Progress in Orthodontics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were recommended to", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the recommendation and the basis for it. This adds credibility and transparency to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "were recommended to" without specifying the source of the recommendation. Vague statements can undermine the weight and validity of the advice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were recommended to" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received a recommendation or advice. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct. The examples show its utility in diverse contexts, from healthcare to business.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

58%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were recommended to" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that someone received advice or a suggestion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in science and news media, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal tone. For effective writing, ensure clarity by specifying the source of the recommendation. Consider alternatives like "were advised to" or "were suggested to" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were advised to

Emphasizes guidance or counsel given, often by an authority.

were suggested to

Highlights a proposition or idea put forward for consideration.

were encouraged to

Indicates a push or motivation to take a certain action.

were urged to

Conveys a strong and insistent recommendation.

were prompted to

Suggests an instigation or cause that led to a recommendation.

were directed to

Implies a clear instruction or command to follow a certain path.

were guided to

Focuses on the act of leading or showing the way towards a specific action.

were pointed toward

Highlights being shown or directed towards a specific option or path.

were referred to

Suggests a channeling or directing towards a resource or expert.

were predisposed to

Implies a prior inclination or tendency towards a particular action.

FAQs

How can I use "were recommended to" in a sentence?

Use "were recommended to" to indicate that someone received advice or a suggestion to take a particular action. For example, "Patients "were recommended to apply cold compresses" after the surgery."

What are some alternatives to saying "were recommended to"?

You can use alternatives such as "were advised to", "were suggested to", or "were urged to" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to specify who made the recommendation when using "were recommended to"?

While not always mandatory, specifying the source of the recommendation enhances the credibility and clarity of your statement. For example, saying "The patients "were recommended to inform the dentist immediately" if suspecting a detachment" is improved by adding "by their doctor".

What's the difference between "were recommended to" and "were required to"?

"Were recommended to" indicates a suggestion or advice, while "were required to" implies a mandatory obligation or rule. For example, "Students "were recommended to attend the workshop"" versus "Students were required to attend the workshop".