Sign in
Suggest, recommend, or propose
Suggest offers an idea, recommend says something is good because you know it, and propose puts forward a formal plan or a marriage offer.
Quick rule
An idea to consider? Suggest. Something you know is good? Recommend. A formal plan, or marriage? Propose. Suggest and recommend don't take to + verb right after them.
To put forward an idea for someone to consider. It takes -ing or a that-clause: I suggest leaving early.
To say something or someone is good, or to advise an action. Like suggest, it takes -ing or that: recommend booking early.
To put forward a plan formally for others to decide on. With to + person, it means asking someone to marry you.
How to choose
| Question | suggest | recommend | propose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Does it put a plan before a group to decide on, or a toast (___ a new law, ___ a toast)? | SometimesSometimes | SometimesSometimes | Yes |
| Are you saying something is good because you know it? | SometimesSometimes | Yes | No |
| Can to + person follow it to mean asking someone to marry you? | No | No | Yes |
Why it trips people up
Suggest and recommend share their grammar (-ing or a that-clause, never to + verb right after them), but recommend implies you know the thing is good. Propose is more formal: a plan at a meeting, a toast, or a marriage offer.
How each one works
Suggest
Suggest + -ing
I suggest leaving before rush hour.
Suggest + that
She suggested that we take a break.
Indicating something
Her smile suggested that she was happy.
Recommend
Someone you know is good
Can you recommend a good dentist?
Recommend + thing + to + person
I recommend this book to all my friends.
Advising: + -ing
The doctor recommended resting for a week.
Propose
A formal plan
The mayor proposed a new bike lane.
Marriage: propose to
He proposed to her on the beach.
At a meeting: that
I propose that we vote now.
What comes next
suggest plus -ing
Mom suggested ordering pizza.
suggest plus (that) plus person plus verb
I suggest you call them first.
recommend plus (that) plus person plus verb
I recommend you book a table.
recommend plus -ing
They recommend wearing sunscreen.
propose plus plan
The company proposed a four-day week.
propose to plus person
Did he propose to you?
Set phrases
Suggest
- suggest itself
- for an idea to come into your mind
Recommend
- come highly recommended
- to be praised by many people
Propose
- propose a toast
- to ask people to raise their glasses and drink to someone
Almost the same
I suggest the fish.
One idea among others: it's your call.
I recommend the fish.
You've tried it or know it, and you say it's good.
He suggested a new plan.
An idea in conversation.
He proposed a new plan.
More formal: a plan for the group to decide on.
In a conversation
- A:
We're going to Cusco next month. Can you recommend a hotel?
- B:
I loved a small hotel near the main square. I'd suggest booking early, though.
- A:
Thanks! Don't tell anyone, but I'm going to propose to Ana there.
- B:
That's amazing! Congratulations in advance!
Common mistakes
Wrong: This school proposes free classes on Saturdays.
Right: This school offers free classes on Saturdays.
To provide a service is offer. Propose means putting forward a plan for others to consider.
Wrong: The doctor recommended to rest.
Right: The doctor recommended resting.
Recommend takes -ing or a that-clause, not to + verb.
Memory trick
Recommend usually carries your experience or expertise: the dentist you liked. Suggest just floats an idea. Propose sounds like a meeting or a ring: a serious plan or a wedding.
It depends
- Propose to do
- With to + verb, propose means to intend, in a formal tone: What do you propose to do now?
- Propose that + base verb
- Formal English uses the base verb: She proposed that the meeting be postponed. British English also allows should be postponed.
- Recommend somebody to do
- Recommend can take a person + to + verb: We'd recommend you to book early. Suggest can't: I suggest you book early.
FAQ
Suggest or recommend a movie?
Both work. Recommend says you've seen it and think it's good; suggest just offers it as an option.
Suggest or propose a date?
For a casual plan, suggest a date. Propose a date sounds more formal, like setting one for a meeting or a vote.