Commend vs. recommend: what’s the difference?
The short answer
Commend generally means to formally praise or present someone or something as worthy, often in an official or ceremonial context. Recommend means to suggest someone or something as suitable for a particular purpose or to advise someone to do something. Recommend has a stronger sense of giving advice, while commend focuses on expressing approval.
What they have in common
Both words are verbs and relate to expressing approval or positive judgment about someone or something. They share a root meaning connected to praise or endorsement.
Examples
commend
- She was commended for her bravery during the rescue.
- The teacher commended the student for his diligence.
- I would like to commend your hard work on this project.
recommend
- Can you recommend a good restaurant nearby?
- The doctor recommended taking a short walk each day.
- I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries.
Which one is more common?
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