I recommend vs. I would recommend

verbs tenses conditionals

I just realized that throughout my life I have interchanged "I recommend that you do X" and "I would recommend that you do X".

Is there a difference in their meanings in modern-day usage, or are they functionally the same?


Solution 1:

My experience is that "would" makes the verb feel a little tentative. I tend to use the construct when I'm not sure of my reception. So "I would recommend" gets used when I'm not sure if the person wants a recommendation.

Solution 2:

For me, the "would" form indicates a (missing) condition or qualification on your recommendation:

I would recommend that you do X, but I can't because of Y.

The form without "would" is unconditional.

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