“Suggest” meaning “recommend” [closed]

Question

Page 456 of the Collins English Usage reads

When you suggest something, you mention it as a plan or idea for someone to consider. You do not 'suggest someone something': you 'suggest something to someone'.

Nor do you 'suggest someone to do something' unless suggest means 'recommend': You 'suggest that someone does something.'

Beatrice suggested that he spend the summer at their place

I do not understand what meaning other than recommned is being used for the distinction.

Secondly, with the meaning of "recommend", can you 'suggest someone something'?

Answer 1

The dictionary entry is trying to explain a mistake often made by non-natives.

Those mistakes are these:

1. • suggest someone something [BUZZER}
2. • suggest someone to do something [BUZZER}

Suggest works like this:

• I suggest you finish early. [followed by a clause, with or without that]. VERSUS
• What did you suggest? I suggested cake, not biscuits be served at the party. [followed by a passive clause, same thing re that]
• I suggested he read the book to learn the rules of the game.

Recommend works like this:

• I recommended you leave early. [clause]
• I recommended him (for the job). [indirect object,him]
• I recommended the job to him. [direct object, job]
• I suggested that, not this. [direct object]

No, you cannot "recommend someone something", just as the Collins says. But:

*You can recommend something to someone *You can suggest something to someone.

As for the difference, a recommendation is more formal than a suggestion.

• I suggest you close that window. It's cold in here.

Closing a window would not usually be something you recommend in casual conversation.

However, you might say to a friend: I recommend you see a doctor for that knee.

BUT

• Experts have recommended we keep the windows open as late as possible in the season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

recommendations are generally more formal things compared to suggestions.

[reference: me own head]