Giving advice in English requires more than good intentions — it demands choosing the right verb and structure. Understanding the differences between advise, recommend, and suggest is essential for communicating with precision and formality in professional and everyday contexts. These three verbs may seem interchangeable, but each carries a distinct level of formality and follows specific grammatical patterns.
What is the difference between advise, recommend, and suggest?
These three verbs represent a spectrum of formality when giving advice [0:44].
- Advise is the most formal option. It is typically associated with authority figures such as counselors, officials, professors, and doctors. For example: The health official advised us on the protocols.
- Recommend draws from personal experience to offer guidance. For example: She recommends the hospital across the street.
- Suggest is the most informal and is used to express an opinion. For example: They suggested using alcohol after contact.
Choosing the appropriate verb depends on the context, your relationship with the listener, and how formally you want to communicate your advice.
What grammatical structures follow these verbs?
Each of these verbs can be followed by three main structures: a noun, a gerund, or a noun clause [1:22].
How do you use them with a noun or object?
When followed by a noun, the pattern is straightforward:
- The professor advised rest before the exam.
- Her uncle recommended the deli around the corner.
- Her tailor suggested a long dress for the wedding.
How do you use them with a gerund?
A gerund (verb + -ing) can also follow these verbs [1:55]:
- Lawyers advise against marrying without a prenup.
- The agent recommends going around the city.
- The nurse suggested using a face mask when visiting crowded places.
How do you use them with a noun clause?
When followed by a noun clause, the verb inside the clause stays in its base form, even in the third person [2:25]. This is a critical grammatical rule that many learners overlook.
- The board advises we terminate the contract today.
- Ramsay recommends that she cook with an apron on.
- The call center agents suggest they cancel the card immediately.
Notice that terminate, cook, and cancel do not change to terminates, cooks, or cancels. The base form is always used in this structure, regardless of the subject.
Can you use an object pronoun after advise, recommend, and suggest?
This is where a key restriction applies [3:08]. Only advise can be followed by an object pronoun and an infinitive. The verbs recommend and suggest cannot be used this way.
- Correct: The coach advised us to keep our energies on the offense.
- Incorrect: Her father recommended me to start a business.
- Incorrect: Joanne suggested them to arrive early.
These last two sentences are common mistakes among English learners. Remember that recommend and suggest require a different structure, such as a noun clause or a gerund.
Practicing these patterns with real sentences helps build fluency. For example, reorganizing words into correct advice sentences reinforces the grammar:
- Doctors suggest taking a walk after lunch [3:48].
- Mitchell recommends that we hit the road early in the morning [4:06].
- Does the vet advise this type of food for the dog? [4:22].
Now it is your turn: use advise, recommend, and suggest to share personal advice about your field of expertise. Whether you are a doctor, teacher, engineer, or any other professional, post your recommendations in the discussion panel.
