In 15 Seconds
- A strong way to say you love something.
- Works for food, movies, books, and professional services.
- Shows high confidence and personal approval.
Meaning
When you use this phrase, you aren't just giving a suggestion. You are telling someone that something is so good they absolutely must try it.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a local cafe
I highly recommend the iced latte here; it's the best in town.
I highly recommend the iced latte here; it's the best in town.
A business meeting
I highly recommend Sarah for the project lead role.
I highly recommend Sarah for the project lead role.
Texting a friend about a movie
Just finished the new Marvel movie. Highly recommend!
Just finished the new Marvel movie. Highly recommend!
Cultural Background
In the US, 'highly recommend' is the backbone of the 'Review Culture.' Americans often rely on peer recommendations for everything from plumbers to surgeons. Using this phrase makes you sound like a helpful, engaged member of the community. While British people might use 'thoroughly recommend' slightly more often, 'highly recommend' is very common. It is often used with a bit more restraint; if a Brit 'highly recommends' something, it is usually truly exceptional. In Japanese business culture, giving a direct 'highly recommend' can sometimes feel too strong or pushy. When speaking English, Japanese learners might prefer 'I suggest' to be polite, but using 'highly recommend' can help them sound more confident in international business. On platforms like Instagram and TikTok, 'highly recommend' is often used by influencers. It has become a 'tag' that signals a sponsored or highly curated suggestion, sometimes leading to 'recommendation fatigue' among younger users.
The 'I can' addition
Adding 'I can' before the phrase ('I can highly recommend...') makes it sound even more personal and authoritative.
The 'To' Trap
Never say 'recommend you to'. It is the #1 mistake intermediate learners make. Stick to 'recommend [noun]' or 'recommend [verb-ing]'.
In 15 Seconds
- A strong way to say you love something.
- Works for food, movies, books, and professional services.
- Shows high confidence and personal approval.
What It Means
Highly recommend is a powerhouse collocation. It combines the adverb highly with the verb recommend. It means you have a very strong positive opinion. You think the other person will love the experience. It is much stronger than just saying I like it. It carries your personal seal of approval. It is like giving a five-star review in a conversation.
How To Use It
This phrase is incredibly flexible. You can use it with people, places, or things. Usually, you follow it with a noun or a gerund (an -ing word). For example, I highly recommend the pasta. Or, I highly recommend visiting London. You can also put it at the end of a sentence. It was a great movie, I highly recommend it. It sounds natural and confident. Just don't use it for things you only 'sort of' liked. Save it for the best stuff!
When To Use It
Use it when you feel genuine enthusiasm. It works perfectly at a restaurant when a friend can't decide. It is great in a business meeting for a software tool. Use it when writing a LinkedIn testimonial for a colleague. It is the 'go-to' phrase for travel tips. If you found a life-changing pair of socks, tell your family! It shows you are helpful and knowledgeable. It builds trust because you are sharing a 'win'.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase for serious medical or legal advice. In those cases, use strongly advise. Don't use it for things that are just 'okay'. If the coffee was mediocre, don't say you highly recommend it. That might hurt your reputation for good taste! Also, avoid overusing it in a single conversation. If you highly recommend everything on the menu, the phrase loses its power. It starts to sound like a fake sales pitch.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, we love sharing 'finds'. We live in a world of online reviews and ratings. This phrase is the spoken version of a 5-star Yelp review. It reflects a culture that values personal testimony. People often prefer a friend's recommendation over an advertisement. It is a way of being social and helpful. It shows you want your friends to have the same great experience you had.
Common Variations
If you want to change it up, try these. Strongly recommend is almost the same but feels a bit heavier. Can't recommend it enough is even more enthusiastic. It means your love for the thing is infinite! For a more casual vibe, try You’ve got to try.... In a professional setting, you might say I’d suggest... if you want to be softer. But highly recommend remains the gold standard for clear, positive feedback.
Usage Notes
The phrase is a 'neutral' powerhouse—safe for work, friends, and writing. Remember to use a noun or a gerund (-ing) immediately after the phrase.
The 'I can' addition
Adding 'I can' before the phrase ('I can highly recommend...') makes it sound even more personal and authoritative.
The 'To' Trap
Never say 'recommend you to'. It is the #1 mistake intermediate learners make. Stick to 'recommend [noun]' or 'recommend [verb-ing]'.
LinkedIn Power
When writing a LinkedIn recommendation, use 'highly recommend' in the first or last sentence to ensure the reader gets the point immediately.
Examples
6I highly recommend the iced latte here; it's the best in town.
I highly recommend the iced latte here; it's the best in town.
A classic way to share a favorite food or drink.
I highly recommend Sarah for the project lead role.
I highly recommend Sarah for the project lead role.
Professional endorsement of a person's skills.
Just finished the new Marvel movie. Highly recommend!
Just finished the new Marvel movie. Highly recommend!
The subject 'I' is often dropped in casual texts.
I highly recommend not wearing white pants to a spaghetti dinner.
I highly recommend not wearing white pants to a spaghetti dinner.
Using the phrase for funny, practical life advice.
The spa was incredible; I highly recommend the mud bath.
The spa was incredible; I highly recommend the mud bath.
Sharing a personal experience of luxury or comfort.
I highly recommend talking to a therapist; it really helped me.
I highly recommend talking to a therapist; it really helped me.
Sharing something that was personally meaningful or helpful.
Test Yourself
Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
Which of these is the correct way to give a recommendation?
'Recommend' is followed by a gerund (-ing), not an infinitive.
Fill in the missing word to complete the common collocation.
I ______ recommend that you read the contract before signing it.
'Highly' is the standard adverb that collocates with 'recommend'.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
A: Have you seen the new Marvel movie? B: Yes! It was incredible. I ______.
'Highly recommend it' is the most natural and grammatically correct response.
Match the recommendation to the correct context.
Match: 'I highly recommend her for the promotion.'
Recommending someone for a promotion happens in a professional/work context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Recommendation Strength
Practice Bank
4 exercisesWhich of these is the correct way to give a recommendation?
'Recommend' is followed by a gerund (-ing), not an infinitive.
I ______ recommend that you read the contract before signing it.
'Highly' is the standard adverb that collocates with 'recommend'.
A: Have you seen the new Marvel movie? B: Yes! It was incredible. I ______.
'Highly recommend it' is the most natural and grammatically correct response.
Match: 'I highly recommend her for the promotion.'
Recommending someone for a promotion happens in a professional/work context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot necessarily. 'Highly' focuses on the quality of the thing, while 'strongly' focuses on the speaker's opinion. Both are acceptable in formal and neutral contexts.
It is grammatically possible but much less common. 'I highly recommend' is the standard collocation that native speakers use 95% of the time.
It's just a quirk of English grammar. Some verbs (like 'tell' or 'ask') take an object + infinitive, but 'recommend' and 'suggest' do not. They take a gerund or a 'that' clause.
Yes! 'I highly recommend Sarah for the job' is a very common and professional way to vouch for someone.
No, it is almost exclusively used for positive endorsements. For negative advice, use 'I strongly advise against...'.
'Highly' is an intensifier. It's the difference between a 3-star review ('I recommend it') and a 5-star review ('I highly recommend it').
No. 'Very' cannot modify a verb directly. You must use 'highly' or 'strongly'.
Yes, it is used throughout the English-speaking world, including the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Example: 'I highly recommend that he finish the report today.' Note that we use the base form 'finish' (subjunctive).
Absolutely. 'I highly recommend trying yoga if you're stressed.'
Related Phrases
strongly suggest
similarTo give firm advice.
vouch for
similarTo guarantee the quality or truth of something based on experience.
give a thumbs up
informalTo show approval.
advise against
contrastTo suggest that someone should NOT do something.
