Practical English Guide

How to Write a Recommendation

Support a recommendation with credible, useful reasons.

The essential idea

A credible recommendation matches a person, place, product, or service to a particular need. Instead of saying only that something is excellent, explain what it does well, the evidence behind your view, and any conditions the reader should consider.

The format may be a short message, public post, or formal paragraph, but the reasoning stays similar. Understand the audience, state your relationship or experience, and make the strength of your recommendation proportionate to what you know.

What makes it effective?

Relevant

Connect the recommendation to the reader's priorities.

Credible

Explain your experience and give evidence.

Qualified

Acknowledge limits, trade-offs, and who may prefer something else.

Decisive

Make your final recommendation easy to identify.

A step-by-step method

    1

    Understand the need

    Identify the purpose, audience, budget, or qualities that matter.

    2

    State your recommendation

    Name the option and your overall view early.

    3

    Establish experience

    Explain how you know the person, place, product, or service.

    4

    Give strong reasons

    Support two or three relevant benefits with examples.

    5

    Add a qualification

    Mention an important limitation before concluding clearly.

Worked practical example

Situation: A colleague recommends a project-management course to a small team.

Writing task: Recommendation for introductory project training

I recommend Northbridge College’s one-day Project Essentials course for colleagues who are new to project work. I completed it in February and found the exercises on planning and risk especially useful; I used both templates during our office move the following month. The trainer explained terms clearly and gave feedback on each group’s plan. The course does not cover advanced budgeting, so it would not suit experienced project managers. For our new coordinators, however, it offers practical training at a reasonable price.

Why this example works

  • The recommendation names a defined audience.
  • First-hand experience establishes credibility.
  • A later application supports the benefits.
  • The limitation makes the conclusion more trustworthy.

Useful phrases

Recommend

  • I would recommend… for…
  • My first choice would be…
  • … is well suited to people who…

Give reasons

  • A particular strength is…
  • In my experience, …
  • This is useful because…

Qualify

  • It may not suit…
  • The main limitation is…
  • Provided that you need…, …

Common mistakes to avoid

Improve this wording

Avoid: I recommend it because it is good.

Use: I recommend it because the practical exercises can be used immediately at work.

Tie the judgement to a useful reason.

Improve this wording

Avoid: Everyone will love this.

Use: It would suit beginners who prefer practical exercises.

Define the audience instead of making a universal claim.

Improve this wording

Avoid: There are no disadvantages.

Use: It is strong on planning but does not cover advanced budgeting.

A relevant limitation increases credibility.

Before you finish

  • The purpose is clear from the opening.
  • All essential names, dates, numbers, and references are correct.
  • The tone is calm, courteous, and appropriate for the situation.
  • The reader can understand what should happen next.
  • The recommendation is matched to a defined need or audience.
  • Evidence and limitations support the final judgement.

Keep building confidence for practical situations in English.

Explore all Practical English guides