Asking for and Giving Recommendations in English

Hello, English learners! Have you ever asked a friend to suggest a good restaurant, recommend a film or help you choose a hotel? Asking for and giving recommendations in English is an important everyday communication skill.

We ask for recommendations when we need advice about places, products, services, books, films, jobs, courses and many other things. We also give recommendations when we want to share our experience and help someone make a good choice.

This language is especially useful for learners preparing for B2 First and C1 Advanced, as it often appears in speaking tasks, informal emails, reviews, articles, reports and proposals.

In this lesson, you will learn how to ask for recommendations politely, give convincing suggestions and respond naturally to other people’s advice.

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What Is a Recommendation?

A recommendation is a suggestion about what someone should do, choose, buy, visit, read or try.

For example:

• I recommend visiting the castle while you are in Edinburgh.
• You should try the seafood restaurant near the harbour.

Recommendations can be strong, enthusiastic, neutral or cautious, depending on how certain you are.

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Asking for Recommendations in English

There are many ways to ask someone for a recommendation. The expression you choose may depend on how formal the situation is and how well you know the person.

General Questions

Use these expressions when you are open to different ideas:

• Can you recommend anything?
• Do you have any suggestions?
• Have you got any recommendations?
• What would you recommend?
• What do you think I should do?
• Do you have any advice?
• What would you suggest?

Asking about Something Specific

You can make your question more precise by mentioning exactly what you need.

• Could you recommend a good restaurant in this area?
• Can you suggest somewhere interesting to visit?
• Do you know of a reliable mechanic?
• Can you recommend a book for an intermediate learner?
• Have you got any suggestions for a family-friendly hotel?
• Could you advise me on the best way to get to the airport?
• What would you recommend for someone visiting the city for the first time?
• Do you know anywhere that serves good vegetarian food?

More Polite and Formal Questions

In formal situations, use expressions such as:

• I was wondering whether you could recommend …
• I would be grateful if you could suggest …
• I’d appreciate any recommendations you may have.
• Would you be able to advise me on …?
• Could you possibly recommend …?

These phrases are useful in formal emails, enquiries and professional communication.

Asking for and Giving Recommendations: Useful Question Patterns

Several grammar patterns are commonly used when asking for recommendations in English.

Recommend + noun

• Can you recommend a good restaurant?
• Could you recommend a reliable travel agency?

Recommend + verb-ing

• Can you recommend visiting any particular museums?
• Would you recommend booking the tour in advance?

Suggest + noun

• Can you suggest a suitable hotel?
• Could you suggest an alternative route?

Suggest + verb-ing

• Would you suggest taking the train?
• Do you suggest buying tickets online?

Advise + object + to-infinitive

• What would you advise me to do?
• Would you advise us to book early?

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Giving Recommendations in English

When giving recommendations, you can use verbs such as recommend, suggest and advise, as well as expressions containing should, could and might.

Using Recommend

Recommend + noun

• I highly recommend this restaurant.
• I can recommend the hotel near the station.

Recommend + verb-ing

• I recommend booking your accommodation early.
• I’d recommend taking comfortable shoes.

Recommend + that-clause

In more formal English, we can use:

recommend that + subject + base verb

• I recommend that you book your tickets in advance.
• We recommend that visitors arrive before nine o’clock.

In British English, should may also be used:

• I recommend that you should book your tickets in advance.
• The doctor recommended that she should rest for a few days.

Recommend something to someone

• She recommended the book to me.
• I recommended this website to my students.

Using Suggest

Suggest + noun

• I suggest the vegetable soup.
• She suggested a small hotel near the beach.

Suggest + verb-ing

• I suggest taking the earlier train.
• She suggested visiting the gallery in the morning.

Suggest + that-clause

• I suggest that you speak to the manager.
• She suggested that we leave earlier.

Notice that we do not normally use suggest someone to do something.

Incorrect: She suggested me to take a taxi.

Correct:

• She suggested taking a taxi.
• She suggested that I take a taxi.
• She advised me to take a taxi.

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Using Advise

We usually use advise + object + to-infinitive.

• I advise you to book early.
• The guide advised us to avoid the area at night.

We can also use:

• I would advise against travelling during rush hour.
• The doctor advised against doing strenuous exercise.

Advise against + verb-ing means that you think someone should not do something.

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Giving Recommendations with Modal Verbs

You should

Use should for a clear and fairly strong recommendation.

• You should visit the old town.
• You should definitely try the local food.

You could

Use could to offer one possible option.

• You could take a bus from the airport.
• You could ask your teacher for extra practice.

You might want to

This is a gentle and polite recommendation.

• You might want to reserve a table.
• You might want to check the weather forecast first.

You may wish to

This expression is more formal.

• You may wish to consider travelling outside the busy season.
• You may wish to contact the hotel directly.

Giving Recommendations with Conditional Expressions

Conditional expressions make recommendations sound natural and conversational.

If I were you, I would …

• If I were you, I’d book the hotel now.
• If I were you, I wouldn’t buy that particular model.

If you are looking for …, I would recommend …

• If you’re looking for traditional food, I’d recommend the restaurant near the market.
• If you’re looking for a light-hearted film, I’d recommend this comedy.

If you enjoy …, you might like …

• If you enjoy historical novels, you might like this book.
• If you enjoy walking, you might like the coastal path.

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Strong and Enthusiastic Recommendations

Use these expressions when you feel very positive about something:

• I highly recommend it.
• I would definitely recommend it.
• You simply must try it.
• It is well worth visiting.
• You shouldn’t miss it.
• It is not to be missed.
• I can’t recommend it highly enough.
• It would be my first choice.
• It is easily one of the best places I’ve visited.

The expression I can’t recommend it highly enough is positive. It means that something is so good that it is difficult to praise it enough.

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Cautious Recommendations

Sometimes you want to make a suggestion without sounding too certain or forceful.

• It might be worth trying.
• You could perhaps consider …
• You may want to look into …
• It could be a good idea to …
• One option would be to …
• You might find it useful to …
• Depending on your budget, you could …

These phrases are particularly useful in Cambridge reports, proposals and discussions.

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Explaining Your Recommendation

A convincing recommendation usually includes a reason, an example or some personal experience.

Compare these sentences:

• You should visit the museum.
• You should visit the museum because it has an excellent collection of modern art.

The second recommendation is more useful and persuasive.

Give a reason

• I recommend this hotel because it is close to the main attractions.
• You should take the underground, as it is quicker than the bus.

Mention personal experience

• I stayed there last year and found the staff extremely helpful.
• I’ve used this app for several months, and it has been very reliable.

Compare different options

• Compared with the other hotels, this one offers better value for money.
• The train is slightly more expensive, but it is much faster.

Mention who it is suitable for

• It is ideal for families with young children.
• This course would be particularly suitable for advanced learners.

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Responding to Recommendations

When someone gives you advice, it is natural to respond before changing the subject.

Positive Responses

• That sounds like a good idea.
• That’s a great suggestion.
• I’ll definitely look into it.
• That sounds perfect.
• I’ll give it a try.
• Thanks, I’ll check it out.
• That might be exactly what I need.
• I’ve heard good things about it.

Neutral or Uncertain Responses

• I’ll think about it.
• That could be an option.
• I’m not completely sure, but I’ll look into it.
• I’ll have to check whether it fits my budget.
• That sounds interesting, although I’m not sure I have enough time.

Politely Rejecting a Recommendation

• Thanks for the suggestion, but I’m looking for something less expensive.
• It sounds good, although I’d prefer somewhere quieter.
• I appreciate the recommendation, but I don’t think it would suit me.
• That’s a good idea, but I’ve already tried it.
• I’m not sure that would be practical in my situation.

Recommendations in B2 First Speaking

In B2 First Speaking Part 3, you may need to discuss several options with your partner and decide which one would be best.

Useful phrases include:

• We could recommend …
• Perhaps the best option would be …
• This might be suitable because …
• I think this would appeal to …
• It might be better to …
• What do you think about …?
• Would you recommend this one?
• Shall we agree on …?

Recommendations in C1 Advanced Speaking

At C1 level, try to use more precise and varied expressions:

• I would be inclined to recommend …
• The most sensible course of action would be to …
• It might be worth considering …
• A particularly appealing option would be …
• I would strongly advise against …
• On balance, I would favour …
• Taking everything into consideration, I would recommend …

Recommendations in Reviews

Reviews should normally include a clear recommendation at the end.

Useful phrases include:

• I would recommend this book to anyone who …
• This film is well worth seeing.
• It is an ideal choice for …
• Despite a few minor weaknesses, I would still recommend it.
• I would hesitate to recommend it to …
• This is not a book I would recommend to younger readers.
• Overall, it is certainly worth a visit.

Example:

Overall, the restaurant provides excellent food at reasonable prices. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an informal meal in the city centre.

Recommendations in Reports and Proposals

Reports and proposals usually require more formal language.

Useful expressions include:

• I would recommend that …
• It is recommended that …
• One possible solution would be to …
• The organisation should consider …
• It would be advisable to …
• A practical course of action would be to …
• Priority should be given to …
• Based on these findings, I recommend …

Example:

Based on the results of the survey, I would recommend that the college extend the library’s opening hours during the examination period.

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Common Mistakes with Asking for and Giving Recommendations

Recommend someone to do something

Incorrect: I recommend you to visit the museum.

Correct:

• I recommend visiting the museum.
• I recommend that you visit the museum.
• I advise you to visit the museum.

Suggest someone to do something

Incorrect: She suggested me to apply for the job.

Correct:

• She suggested applying for the job.
• She suggested that I apply for the job.
• She advised me to apply for the job.

Recommend about

Incorrect: Can you recommend me about a good hotel?

Correct:

• Can you recommend a good hotel?
• Can you recommend a good hotel to me?
• Can you advise me on choosing a hotel?

Advice and advise

Advice is a noun:

• Thank you for your advice.
• Could you give me some advice?

Advise is a verb:

• I advise you to leave early.
• She advised us to book in advance.

Remember that advice is uncountable. We do not normally say an advice or advices.

Correct:

• some advice
• a piece of advice
• two useful pieces of advice

Download Asking for and Giving Recommendations in English Practice Worksheet in PDF here

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Final Thoughts

Learning how to ask for and give recommendations will help you communicate more naturally and confidently in English. Remember to choose your language according to the situation: should and recommend are useful for clear suggestions, while expressions such as you might want to and it might be worth sound gentler and less direct.

When giving a recommendation, do not simply name an option. Explain why you recommend it, mention your personal experience or compare it with other possibilities. This will make your advice more convincing and help you perform better in both everyday conversations and Cambridge exam tasks.

The next time someone asks you for advice, try using one of the expressions from this lesson—and remember that a good recommendation should be clear, relevant and supported by a reason.

Related posts:

• Collocations for Expressing Opinions in English 
• B2 First Speaking
• C1 Advanced Speaking
• Better Ways to Agree and Disagree in English 
• Talking about Choices in English 
• Expressing Preference in English 
• 20 Polite and Advanced Phrases for Making Suggestions in English 

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