Recommendation Of/For/To/On – Correct Preposition (Examples)

Prepositions can be tricky at the best of times. Things become even harder when you have a word that can work with most prepositions. In fact, depending on the circumstances, ‘recommendation’ can work with either ‘of’, ‘for’, ‘to’, or ‘on’. Let’s explain how it works.

Is It Recommendation ‘Of’, ‘For’, ‘To’, or ‘On’?

‘Recommendation of’ is used when somebody or something is providing a recommendation. ‘Recommendation for’ is used when a recommendation is being used to gain something. You can use ‘recommendation to’ when a recommendation is being sent somewhere specific. ‘Recommendation on’ is used when you are providing feedback on something.

‘Recommendation of’ is the most frequently used term. You can use it when you have gained the recognition of somebody or something i.e. somebody else has recommended what you do.

If your recommendation is being used to gain something e..g. a job or position on a university course, then you would normally use ‘recommendation for.’

If the recommendation is being sent somewhere e.g., ‘I sent your recommendation to…’ then you will use ‘to’. This means that your recommendation is being sent somewhere specific. This could be a place or a person.

If you provide feedback on something, you can use ‘recommendation on’.

Recommendation Of

The phrase ‘recommendation of’ will frequently be used when you have gained the recommendation of somebody. For example, if you have gained recognition from somebody or something. It may also be used to describe gained qualifications. ‘Of’ is the most common preposition alongside ‘recommendation’.

If somebody or something is providing a recommendation, it will normally be a “recommendation of” e.g. ‘I have the recommendation of my employer’ or ‘our company has the recommendation of our customers’. Think of it as somebody awarding the recommendation.

In some cases, ‘of’ can be used interchangeably with other prepositions. For example, if you recommend a place, you can say “I provide a recommendation of” or “I provide a recommendation for,” both are grammatically correct.

Here are a few ways that you can use ‘recommendation of’ in a sentence:

1. I have gained the recommendation of my peers.
2. I gained the job on the recommendation of my employer
3. I can provide a recommendation of a good restaurant.
4. We can only go by the recommendations of the report.
5. The prices have been reduced on the recommendation of our customers.

Recommendation For

‘Recommendation for’ can be used in multiple ways. It is often best used when you provide a recommendation for something specific. For example, if you were providing a recommendation for a specific restaurant or job. In some cases, ‘recommendation to’ can act as a substitute.

Basically, ‘recommendation for’ is best used when a recommendation is being sent to something or somebody specific. This means that your old manager may provide you with a recommendation for a job, or your teacher may provide you with a recommendation for a university class.

You can also formulate a ‘recommendation for’ as a question. So, if somebody asks you why you are looking for a recommendation. (what do you need a recommendation for?)

There are several ways to use ‘recommendation for’ in a sentence. Here are a few examples. This way, you can see how everything works:

1. I will provide a recommendation for the job.
2. My manager is more than happy to provide a recommendation for the job.
3. What do you need a recommendation for?
4. I am providing a recommendation for the first time.
5. You have good grades, so I am more than happy to provide a recommendation for the university class.

Recommendation To

‘Recommendation to’ is a phrase that is normally used to describe acting upon a recommendation. For example, if the recommendation is being sent somewhere. In almost all cases, ‘recommendation to’ will be used alongside a verb, e.g., ‘send’, and ‘give.’

If you are planning on sending a recommendation to a location or to act upon something, then you will normally use ‘recommendation to,. For example, ‘I have sent the recommendation to…’. or, if you act upon something, ‘I am providing a recommendation to (do action)’.

Let’s share with you a few examples; this way, you will have more of an idea of how to use ‘recommendation to’ in a sentence:

1. I will send your recommendation to my superiors.
2. The government will send a recommendation to change the law.
3. Have you sent the recommendation to the university?
4. I can give the manager a recommendation to get on the next project.
5. I am giving you a recommendation to leave the building.

Recommendation On

‘Recommendation on’ is not used frequently. It is often used when you are providing commentary or feedback ‘on’ something. This may be on a platform (e.g., a website), a place (e.g., a restaurant), or even on an aspect of somebody’s personality or behavior.

Basically, if you are doing an action ‘on’ something, then chances are that you will say ‘recommendation on’. This may mean that you are acting upon somebody’s recommendation or looking for a recommendation of a place to go.

You may also use the phrase ‘recommendation on’ if you are looking to provide (or not provide) a recommendation based upon how somebody acts or does something. This may mean that you are providing them with feedback.

‘Recommendation on’ can be seriously tricky to use, and people often substitute either ‘for’, ‘to’, or ‘of’ instead.

Here are five examples of how to use ‘recommendation on’ in a sentence.

1. I am looking for a series recommendation on Netflix
2. The restaurant was selected on their recommendation
3. I am happy to provide a recommendation on your work performance.
4. He, honestly, couldn’t provide a good recommendation on his performance in the play.
5. I will never give your restaurant a recommendation on the internet.

Is Recommendation ‘Of’, ‘For’, ‘To’, or ‘On’ Used The Most?

According to Google Ngram Viewer, the phrase ‘recommendation of’ is used the most, although the usage of this has plummeted over the last couple of decades. The phrase ‘recommendation for’ is a close second.

The least-used phrase is ‘recommendation on’. Even throughout the last century or so, it has barely received any mentions. Although, we suppose this is because it can be exceedingly tricky to fit into a sentence.

Better Way To Give a Recommendation

‘Recommendation’ is a noun. If you want things to sound a little better, you should use it as a verb instead. This way, you will be able to drop the preposition. The verb form is ‘recommend’. For example, you may say the following:

• I recommend this hotel.

This, of course, sounds a lot better:

• I can provide a good recommendation for this hotel.

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