 Suggest versus recommend. When and how to use. How do I use suggest and recommend? Both words are very similar in meaning. They are often used interchangeably. Recommend is more formal. Recommend is based more on personal experience. Suggest is more common in conversation. Suggest is for ideas or general options and is less personal. Most of the time, you can choose either. Forming the grammar. Slide one of three. Option one. Suggest plus object noun or plus to a person. Recommend plus object noun or plus to a person. I suggest the career center. I recommend the career center to my students. Forming the grammar. Slide two of three. Option two. Suggest plus gerund. Recommend plus gerund. He suggests asking an advisor about graduation. He recommends asking an advisor about graduation. Forming the grammar. Slide three of three. Option three. Suggest plus that plus subject plus base verb. Recommend plus that plus subject plus space verb. I suggest that you work with a tutor. She recommends that he work with a tutor. Examples. I suggest the study rooms in the library for a quiet place to study. I recommend the study room closest to the magazine area. He suggests asking the librarian for help finding research materials for the project. He recommends checking out the books and reading at home. They suggest that students review their class schedule with an advisor. They recommend that students complete English 101 during their first year at college. Now it's your turn. Scenario one. Marjata has just returned to college after many years because both of her children are now in school. She knows there is a test she needs to take to find out her level of English and Math, but she's not sure how and not sure where to ask. What do you suggest? What should she do? What do you recommend? Pause this video while you think of the next answers. Then go to the next slide. Possible answers for scenario one. She should speak to someone in admissions about the process. I suggest that she speak to a representative in the testing center to find out how to sign up for the test. I recommend looking on the college website to see if she can find the information. Scenario two. Aron is taking a full load at college this quarter. Two of his classes are related to his major, but one is a science class required for his AA degree. He has to pass it to get his degree. It is very hard and he needs help. What do you suggest? What should he do? What do you recommend? Pause this video to think of your answer when you are ready. Continue to the next slide. Possible answers for scenario two. He should make an appointment with the tutoring center. I suggest asking classmates if they want to start a study group. The teacher recommends making an appointment for their office hours so they can talk more about the topics. Scenario three. Aurora has been having difficulty balancing her job, family, and schoolwork. She has been feeling a little depressed and stressed out. She can't quit her job because she needs to pay her bills. So she's wondering if she needs to cut back on classes or stop school altogether. What do you suggest? What should she do? What do you recommend? Pause this video while you think of your answers. When you are ready, continue to the next slide. Possible answers for scenario three. Aurora should talk to a counselor at the college so she can get some advice. I suggest that Aurora apply for financial aid so maybe she can work less. Her friend recommends discussing this with her family to see if they can help her with anything.