different between propose vs recommend

English

Etymology

From Middle English proposen, from Anglo-Norman proposer (verb), propos (noun), Middle French proposer (verb) , propos (noun), from Latin pr?p?n?, pr?p?n?re, with conjugation altered based on poser. Doublet of propound.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /p???p??z/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /p???po?z/
• Rhymes: -??z

Verb

propose (third-person singular simple present proposes, present participle proposing, simple past and past participle proposed)

1. (transitive) To suggest a plan, course of action, etc.

   Synonyms: put forth, suggest, (rare) forthput

   • 2019, VOA Learning English (public domain)

     President Moon Jae-in proposed the plan this week during a meeting with government officials, his spokesman said.

2. (intransitive, sometimes followed by to) To ask for a person's hand in marriage.

3. (transitive) To intend.
   • 1859, John Gorham Palfrey, History of New England, Preface (Google preview):

     I propose to relate, in several volumes, the history of the people of New England.
4. (obsolete) To talk; to converse.
   • 1599, William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing, Act 3 Scene 1:

     HERO. Good Margaret, run thee to the parlour;

     There shalt thou find my cousin Beatrice

     Proposing with the prince and Claudio

5. (obsolete) To set forth.
   • 1616, George Chapman (translator), Homer's Iliad, book 11:

     . . . so weighty was the cup,

     That being propos'd brimful of wine, one scarce could lift it up.

Usage notes

• In use 1, this is sometimes a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing).
• In use 3, this is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive.
• For more information, see Appendix:English catenative verbs
• Compared to to suggest, to propose is more deliberate and definite. To suggest is merely to mention, while to propose is to have a definite plan and intention.

Derived terms

• proposal
• proposement

Related terms

• proponent
• proposition

Translations

Noun

propose (plural proposes)

1. (obsolete) An objective or aim.

Anagrams

• opposer, poopers

French

Verb

propose

1. inflection of proposer:
   1. first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive
   2. second-person singular imperative

Anagrams

• opposer

Italian

Verb

propose

1. third-person indicative past historic of proporre

Anagrams

• propeso

English

Etymology

From Middle English recommenden, from Old French recommender (compare French recommander), from Latin re- + commend?re.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA^(key): /??k??m?nd/
• Rhymes: -?nd
• Hyphenation: rec?om?mend

Verb

recommend (third-person singular simple present recommends, present participle recommending, simple past and past participle recommended)

1. (transitive) To bestow commendation on; to represent favourably; to suggest, endorse or encourage as an appropriate choice.

   The board recommends Philips, given his ample experience in similar positions.

2. (transitive) To make acceptable; to attract favor to.

   A city that has much to recommend it.

3. (transitive) To advise, propose, counsel favorably

   The therapist recommends resting the mind and exercising the body.

4. (transitive, archaic) To commit, confide to another's care, confidence or acceptance, with favoring representations

   A medieval oblate's parents recommended the boy for life to God and the monastery

Usage notes

• This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing). See Appendix:English catenative verbs

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:advise

Antonyms

• deprecate
• disrecommend
• discourage
• disapprove
• oppose

Derived terms

Related terms

• recommendation

Translations

Anagrams

• commender

Middle English

Verb

recommend

1. Alternative form of recommenden