One of the top advanced English mistakes I frequently hear is when someone recommends people to do things, as in, "I recommend you to read this book."
But the thing is, you have two options. You can either give a direct recommendation or go the subjunctive way.
This blog post was originally published on 01/25/2024 and is the original work of Drew Anne Oliver. All rights to this content are reserved, and any use or reproduction of this material must be credited to drewanneoliver.com.
1. Direct recommendations
You can recommend [something] (to [someone] )
[something] can be a noun or noun phrase
Examples:
I recommend these books.
I recommend these books to my students.
I recommend reading these books.
It's crucial to note the object pattern here. While it's perfectly acceptable to recommend something to someone, the reverse – recommending someone something – is a linguistic no-go.
Correct: ✔️ I recommended that book to her.
Incorrect: ❌ I recommended her that book.
2. The subjunctive way
You can recommend (that) [someone] do [something]
Examples:
I recommended that he take an Uber.
I recommended he take an Uber.
That's right! There's no mistake there. Because we're using the subjunctive mood, there's no flexion of the verb, even when using the third person. It might sound odd to some, but that's the grammar, my friend!
A tip is to think of it as if there was a "should" before the verb – which, by the way, is something you can also explicitly do.
Correct:
✔️ I recommended he take an Uber.
✔️ I recommended that he take an Uber.
✔️ I recommended that he should take an Uber.
Incorrect:
❌ I recommended that he takes an Uber.
❌ I recommended him to take an Uber.
Why Recommending Someone To Do Something Is Grammatically Correct
I know that language evolves, and when something is said or written so often, it ends up becoming part of a language.
I even believe that this is already happening to incorrect usage number 1 (I recommended [someone] [something] – I recommended her that book). In spoken language, we all recommend something to someone. However, in informal writing, I've been seeing some lazy 'fellas' (myself included) write "recommend me a movie" instead of "recommend a movie to me."
Now, when it comes to incorrect usage number 2 (I recommend [someone] [to do something] – I recommend him to take an Uber), I'd say it still sounds odd, whichever the case is, even though many people are saying it that way. That's because it is grammatically correct. However, it conveys a different meaning. When you recommend someone to do something, you're recommending the person, not the thing. So, if I recommend YOU to read a text out loud, it means that, among a group of people, I think YOU should do the job. In contrast, if I recommend that you read a text out loud, I'm saying that I think you should read it out loud, probably because I want you to practice your speaking skills at some level.
Final thoughts and one suggestion
While spoken language tends to be more forgiving, it's essential to maintain clarity and precision in writing. The object pattern plays a pivotal role in ensuring effective communication.
Furthermore, the rules we've explored for "recommend" also extend to its close companion, "suggest." Whether you're suggesting or recommending, the subtleties of language etiquette remain consistent.
Language is a beautiful tapestry of expression, but understanding its nuances can elevate your communication skills. So, next time you recommend a book or suggest a movie, remember the patterns and let your words flow gracefully through the linguistic landscape.
Quick question before you leave... Should I write an ebook on the subjunctive mood?
Yes, please!!! I'll read it from cover to cover.
Don't bother, I don't think that's necessary.
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