verbs - I recommend vs. I would recommend


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?



Answer



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.


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