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Recommend that VS Recommend to

English Language Learners Asked by IGO on August 28, 2020

I`ve been taught for years that the verb recommend is one of those verbs of advice that cannot be followed by the more usual pattern of object + infinitive but has to be followed by a that-clause with should + infinitive or with past, present or subjunctive form verbs. Recently, however, I found an entry in the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary which states that the object + infinitive pattern is indeed possible with the recommend verb. Am I missing something here?

Below I enclose the link to the entry:

Oxford Learner’s Dictionary: recommend

3 Answers

From your link:

We'd recommend you to book your flight early.

Maybe that's a British English thing. It's sounds very odd to this American.

In the US, we'd say "We'd recommend [that] you book your flight early."

No "to".

Answered by Malvolio on August 28, 2020

I recommend to infinitive

directly dives into what you are recommending without delay by mentioning the infinitive

I recommend that

introduces a clause that qualifies what you are recommending

I recommend to go, now!
I recommend that we leave at the earliest possible time which is convenient, like right now!

Answered by Peter on August 28, 2020

Michael SwanPractical English Usage, lists some of the verbs which can be used with the object + infinitive structure.
These are: advise, allow, ask, bear, beg, cause, command, compel, encourage, expect, forbid, force, get, hate, help, instruct, instruct, intend, invite, leave, like, love, mean, need, oblige, order, permit, persuade, prefer, recommend, remind, request, teach, tell, tempt, trouble, want, warn, wish.

Some verbs cannot be followed by this structure, they need a that clause. For instance, suggest:

I suggested that she should go home.

However, many other verbs listed above can also be followed by that clauses, for example, but it seems you'll have to use a dictionary for more reference.

Answered by Alejandro on August 28, 2020

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