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English grammar questions, answered by Alan

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Rustamsher
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Post by Rustamsher »

Hi Dear Teacher,

As far as I know the following structures related to the verb recommend are grammatically correct:

(1) verb + object + to-infinitive --> I recommend you to use
(2) verb + -ing form (without object) --> I recommend using
(3) verb + present subjunctive --> I recommend *(that) you use
(4) verb + should + bare infinitive --> I recommend (that) you should use

* that is optional in this case

In reply to my opinions above some native speaker showed his reaction as follows:

"I recommend you to use" is bad English in my opinion.
We say "I advise you to...". With "recommend" it just sounds wrong (to me).

I have seen the pattern № 1 many times in a number of English Grammar books. I wonder
this structure is correct or not? Or is it a matter of naturalness?

Many thanks
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Alan
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Re: Recommend

Post by Alan »

I would agree with your native speaker.
Some careful users do not consider it correct.
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