The short answer is that both phrases are correct, and they often overlap. The difference is mainly one of emphasis and nuance, not grammar.
Strongly recommend tends to put more emphasis on the firmness or seriousness of the advice, while highly recommend often emphasizes a high level of approval or praise.
That distinction becomes clearer when you look at the surrounding context. A safety instruction, professional recommendation, personal review, and casual suggestion may call for slightly different wording.
This guide explains strongly recommend vs highly recommend in detail, including meaning, grammar, pronunciation, tone, professional and everyday usage, common mistakes, sentence patterns, and more than 20 original examples.
Quick Answer
Strongly recommend and highly recommend are both grammatically correct and widely used.
Use strongly recommend when you want to emphasize firm advice, conviction, importance, or urgency.
Use highly recommend when you want to emphasize strong approval, praise, quality, or a positive opinion.
In many ordinary sentences, however, the two expressions are interchangeable without a meaningful change in the message.
Strongly Recommend vs Highly Recommend: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Strongly Recommend | Highly Recommend |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meaning | Recommend with strong conviction | Recommend with a high degree of approval |
| Part of speech | Adverb + verb | Adverb + verb |
| Main emphasis | Firmness or strength of advice | High praise or approval |
| Tone | Firm, assertive, serious | Positive, enthusiastic, approving |
| Grammar | Correct | Correct |
| Formal writing | Very common | Very common |
| Business writing | Natural | Natural |
| Academic writing | Natural | Natural |
| Reviews | Natural | Especially natural |
| Warnings | Particularly useful | Less typical, though possible |
| Positive recommendations | Natural | Particularly natural |
| Negative recommendations | Natural | Less common |
| Passive form | “It is strongly recommended…” | “It is highly recommended…” |
| Personal opinion | Very natural | Very natural |
| Urgent advice | Often preferred | Usually less forceful |
| Praise | Possible | Often more natural |
| US English | Standard | Standard |
| UK English | Standard | Standard |
| Are they interchangeable? | Often | Often |
| Is either incorrect? | No | No |
Quick rule:
Strongly = firm recommendation.
Highly = high approval.
But real English allows considerable overlap between them.
What Does “Strongly Recommend” Mean?
Strongly recommend means to recommend something with considerable force, conviction, or emphasis.
The word strongly modifies the verb recommend. It tells the reader that the speaker is not making a weak or casual suggestion.
Compare:
- “I recommend checking the figures.”
- “I strongly recommend checking the figures.”
The second sentence communicates greater emphasis. The writer wants the reader to take the recommendation seriously.
Meaning of Strongly Recommend
The phrase can communicate:
- firm advice
- strong personal conviction
- serious guidance
- emphasis on importance
- a warning
- a forceful suggestion
- confidence in a particular course of action
For example:
“I strongly recommend backing up your files before installing the update.”
The speaker is not merely saying that backups are a good idea. The wording signals that the advice deserves attention.
Strongly Recommend in Professional English
Strongly recommend is particularly useful when a recommendation carries practical consequences.
Examples include:
- workplace instructions
- technical advice
- safety guidance
- professional recommendations
- academic advice
- business communication
- formal reports
For example:
“We strongly recommend reviewing the contract before signing.”
This sounds firm without necessarily being rude or aggressive.
Strongly Recommend in Everyday English
The expression is not limited to formal situations.
You can easily say:
“I strongly recommend trying the chocolate cake.”
Here, strongly simply increases the speaker’s enthusiasm.
This demonstrates an important point: strongly recommend does not automatically mean formal or negative. Context determines its tone.
Strongly Recommend for Warnings
One of the clearest uses of strongly recommend is when someone wants to discourage an action.
For example:
“I strongly recommend that you don’t drive in this weather.”
Here, the phrase communicates firm advice.
You can also say:
“I strongly recommend avoiding that route after dark.”
The wording works naturally because the recommendation has a serious or cautionary quality.
What Does “Highly Recommend” Mean?
Highly recommend means to recommend something very positively or with a high level of approval.
The word highly intensifies the recommendation and often gives the sentence a positive, enthusiastic tone.
For example:
“I highly recommend this restaurant.”
The speaker is expressing strong approval based on their opinion or experience.
Meaning of Highly Recommend
The phrase can communicate:
- strong approval
- enthusiasm
- praise
- a positive evaluation
- confidence in quality
- a favorable opinion
- encouragement to try something
This is why highly recommend is especially common in reviews and personal recommendations.
Highly Recommend in Reviews
Imagine someone asking:
“Is that course worth taking?”
You might answer:
“Yes. I highly recommend it.”
That sounds natural, friendly, and positive.
The same pattern works with:
- books
- restaurants
- hotels
- movies
- courses
- products
- software
- services
- travel destinations
- podcasts
For example:
“I highly recommend this podcast if you’re interested in history.”
Highly Recommended
The related passive expression highly recommended is also extremely common.
Examples include:
“This restaurant is highly recommended.”
“The course is highly recommended for beginners.”
“She comes highly recommended.”
The last example is particularly interesting because highly recommended can describe a person’s reputation or credentials, not just someone’s personal enthusiasm.
Why Do People Confuse These Two Phrases?
The confusion is understandable because strongly and highly are both adverbs that can intensify the idea of recommendation.
In many sentences, replacing one with the other produces a perfectly grammatical sentence:
“I strongly recommend this book.”
“I highly recommend this book.”
Neither sentence contains a grammatical error.
The difference is subtle because recommend already carries the idea of approval or advice. Adding either adverb simply strengthens that recommendation.
English usage discussions also note substantial overlap between the two expressions while identifying contexts in which their nuances differ.
The mistake is to treat the distinction as an absolute grammar rule.
It isn’t.
The Main Difference: Firm Advice vs Strong Approval
The easiest way to understand strongly recommend vs highly recommend is to focus on what the adverb emphasizes.
Strongly Recommend = Firmness
When you say:
“I strongly recommend that you check the figures.”
the focus is on the strength of the recommendation.
You are saying:
“This is important advice, and I want you to take it seriously.”
Highly Recommend = Approval
When you say:
“I highly recommend this restaurant.”
the focus is more naturally on the positive evaluation.
You are saying:
“I think this is excellent, and I think you will like it.”
This distinction is useful, but it should not be turned into a rigid rule. Native speakers use both expressions across many of the same situations.
Grammar: How “Strongly” and “Highly” Work
Both strongly and highly are adverbs.
They can modify the verb recommend:
I strongly recommend this course.
I highly recommend this course.
The basic structure is:
Subject + adverb + recommend + object
Examples:
- I strongly recommend this book.
- She strongly recommends the program.
- We strongly recommend early registration.
- I highly recommend this hotel.
- They highly recommend the service.
- He highly recommends the course.
Recommend + Gerund
Both expressions can be followed by an -ing form.
I strongly recommend reading the instructions.
I highly recommend visiting the museum.
This structure is especially natural when you are recommending an activity.
Recommend + That-Clause
You can also use a that-clause:
I strongly recommend that you review the agreement.
I highly recommend that you watch the documentary.
The first example often feels more like firm advice, while the second can sound more like enthusiastic encouragement.
Again, this is a difference in tone, not a strict grammatical requirement.
Recommend + Object
You can directly recommend a person, thing, product, service, or activity:
I strongly recommend this software.
I highly recommend this book.
Recommend + Object + To
Another common pattern is:
I strongly recommend this book to students.
I highly recommend this restaurant to visitors.
Both are grammatical.
Can You Say “I Strongly Recommend”?
Yes.
I strongly recommend is completely standard English.
Examples:
I strongly recommend reading the instructions first.
I strongly recommend checking your email before submitting the form.
I strongly recommend this course for beginners.
It is common in professional, academic, technical, and everyday communication.
Can You Say “I Highly Recommend”?
Yes.
I highly recommend is also standard English.
Examples:
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend visiting the old town.
I highly recommend her work.
A claim sometimes appears that “I highly recommend” is grammatically wrong and that only “I strongly recommend” should be used. That is not a reliable general rule. Contemporary English uses highly recommend naturally in both active and passive constructions.
Strongly Recommend vs Highly Recommend in Different Contexts
Context is where the distinction becomes most useful.
| Situation | More natural choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Safety warning | Strongly recommend | Firm advice |
| Contract advice | Strongly recommend | Serious guidance |
| Product review | Highly recommend | Positive approval |
| Restaurant review | Highly recommend | Enthusiastic praise |
| Academic advice | Either | Depends on tone |
| Business advice | Either | Depends on emphasis |
| Personal recommendation | Either | Both work |
| Formal warning | Strongly recommend | Strong emphasis |
| Travel recommendation | Highly recommend | Positive enthusiasm |
| Professional reference | Either | Depends on intended emphasis |
These are tendencies, not grammatical laws.
20+ Real-Life Examples
Everyday Conversation
1.
“I highly recommend that café. Their breakfast is excellent.”
The speaker is expressing enthusiastic approval.
2.
“I strongly recommend taking an umbrella today.”
The emphasis is on practical advice.
3.
“If you like mystery novels, I highly recommend this one.”
This is a friendly personal recommendation.
4.
“I strongly recommend leaving before the traffic gets worse.”
The recommendation is more urgent.
Text Messages
5.
“Just finished the series. Highly recommend it!”
This is casual and enthusiastic.
6.
“Strongly recommend saving your work before restarting.”
The message gives firm practical advice.
Business Communication
7.
“I strongly recommend reviewing the proposal before the meeting.”
The writer wants the recipient to take the action seriously.
8.
“We highly recommend our premium training program for new managers.”
The sentence emphasizes positive approval.
Professional Writing
9.
“The consultant strongly recommends updating the company’s security procedures.”
The wording communicates firm professional advice.
10.
“I highly recommend Ms. Patel for the position.”
Here, the phrase expresses strong positive approval of a candidate.
Academic Writing
11.
“I strongly recommend reviewing the primary sources before writing the essay.”
The recommendation is instructional and firm.
12.
“I highly recommend this introductory text to students studying linguistics.”
The sentence expresses a favorable evaluation.
Reviews
13.
“I highly recommend this hotel for families.”
The focus is positive endorsement.
14.
“I highly recommend the documentary to anyone interested in climate science.”
The phrase communicates enthusiasm.
Safety
15.
“We strongly recommend wearing protective equipment.”
The wording emphasizes the seriousness of the advice.
16.
“I strongly recommend that you do not enter the area.”
Here, strongly clearly supports the cautionary meaning.
Professional Recommendations
17.
“I strongly recommend discussing the issue with your manager first.”
The speaker is giving firm guidance.
18.
“I highly recommend Daniel for the position.”
The focus is favorable assessment.
Social Media
19.
“Just discovered this little bookstore. Highly recommend!”
This is a natural informal use.
20.
“If you’re traveling this weekend, I strongly recommend booking early.”
The speaker is emphasizing the importance of the action.
Customer Service
21.
“We highly recommend this model for home offices.”
The phrase highlights a positive evaluation.
22.
“We strongly recommend installing the latest security update.”
The wording emphasizes the importance of taking action.
Strongly Recommend vs Highly Recommend in Professional Writing
Both expressions can appear in professional communication, but your intended message matters.
Consider these two sentences:
“I strongly recommend Sarah for the position.”
“I highly recommend Sarah for the position.”
Both can work in a reference letter.
The first may sound slightly more firm or emphatic.
The second may sound slightly more positive or complimentary.
Neither is automatically more professional.
In a Recommendation Letter
Both are acceptable:
“I strongly recommend Mr. Lee for this position.”
“I highly recommend Mr. Lee for this position.”
Choose strongly if you want to emphasize the firmness of your recommendation.
Choose highly if you want to emphasize your favorable assessment.
Strongly Recommend vs Highly Recommend in Academic English
Academic writing often requires careful control of tone.
For advice:
“I strongly recommend that students consult the original study.”
For a favorable evaluation:
“I highly recommend this text for introductory courses.”
The distinction is subtle, but useful.
However, neither phrase is inherently informal. Both can appear in serious professional and academic communication.
Strongly Recommend vs Highly Recommend in Reviews
For reviews, highly recommend is especially natural.
For example:
“I highly recommend this book to anyone learning English.”
“I highly recommend this restaurant.”
“I highly recommend the course.”
The expression sounds enthusiastic without necessarily sounding forceful.
Strongly recommend is also possible:
“I strongly recommend this book.”
But it may put slightly more emphasis on the strength of the reviewer’s recommendation.
Strongly Recommend vs Highly Recommend in Negative Recommendations
This is one area where strongly recommend has a particularly useful role.
For example:
“I strongly recommend that you avoid this route.”
“I strongly recommend against making that decision.”
The expression works well because the speaker is giving firm advice.
You can technically use highly in some negative contexts:
“I highly recommend that you avoid this website.”
But this may create a momentary ambiguity because highly recommend is strongly associated with positive approval.
For a clear warning, strongly recommend is usually the safer choice.
The Passive Forms: Strongly Recommended vs Highly Recommended
The passive forms deserve special attention.
Strongly Recommended
“Visitors are strongly recommended to book in advance.”
This communicates firm advice.
A more formal alternative is:
“It is strongly recommended that visitors book in advance.”
Highly Recommended
“This restaurant is highly recommended.”
This often sounds like the restaurant has an excellent reputation or receives strong positive endorsements.
“The course is highly recommended for beginners.”
This means the writer considers the course very good or suitable.
The passive forms can therefore make the distinction more noticeable.
“Comes Highly Recommended”
The expression comes highly recommended is a useful fixed-style phrase.
For example:
“This hotel comes highly recommended by previous guests.”
It means that the hotel has received strong praise or favorable recommendations.
You may also see:
“She comes highly recommended.”
This can describe a person’s favorable professional reputation.
That does not mean highly always refers to other people’s opinions. Context determines who is doing the recommending and what exactly is being emphasized.
Is “Strongly Recommended” More Formal?
Not necessarily.
Strongly recommended is common in formal contexts because formal writing often needs to communicate clear advice.
For example:
“Employees are strongly recommended to complete the training.”
But the phrase can also be perfectly ordinary:
“I strongly recommend trying the new pizza place.”
So the word strongly does not automatically make a sentence formal.
Is “Highly Recommended” More Casual?
Not necessarily.
Highly recommended is common in casual reviews, but it also appears in professional contexts.
For example:
“This training program is highly recommended for new employees.”
That is perfectly professional.
The important factor is the context and purpose, not the adverb alone.
Are Strongly Recommend and Highly Recommend Interchangeable?
Often, yes.
Consider:
“I strongly recommend this book.”
“I highly recommend this book.”
Both clearly tell the reader:
“I think you should read this book.”
The difference is a matter of nuance.
However, they are not perfectly interchangeable in every context.
Compare:
“I strongly recommend that you leave immediately.”
with:
“I highly recommend that you leave immediately.”
The first sounds more naturally like firm advice or a warning.
Now compare:
“This restaurant comes highly recommended.”
with:
“This restaurant comes strongly recommended.”
The first is much more idiomatic.
This is why learning the phrases as patterns and collocations is more useful than memorizing a single rule.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking “I Highly Recommend” Is Incorrect
❌ “I highly recommend” is grammatically wrong.
This is false.
✅ “I highly recommend this book.”
Highly recommend is a standard and widely used construction.
Mistake 2: Thinking “Strongly Recommend” Is Only for Warnings
❌ “Strongly recommend” can only be used for negative advice.
Not true.
You can say:
“I strongly recommend this course.”
The phrase can express positive approval as well as firm advice.
Mistake 3: Treating the Two as Completely Different
It is misleading to say that strongly recommend always means advice while highly recommend always means praise.
There is significant overlap.
For example:
“I strongly recommend this restaurant.”
can clearly be a positive recommendation.
And:
“I highly recommend that you read the instructions.”
can clearly encourage an action.
Mistake 4: Using “Very Recommend”
❌ “I very recommend this book.”
This is not standard English.
Use:
✅ “I highly recommend this book.”
or
✅ “I strongly recommend this book.”
Mistake 5: Using “Powerfully Recommend”
❌ “I powerfully recommend this product.”
This is not a natural standard collocation.
Use:
✅ “I strongly recommend this product.”
Mistake 6: Confusing “Highly Recommended” With “Highly Qualified”
These expressions have different structures.
“She is highly qualified.”
means she has a high level of qualifications.
“She is highly recommended.”
means people speak very positively of her or she receives strong recommendations.
Do not treat highly recommended as a synonym for highly qualified.
Strongly Recommend vs Highly Recommend: Sentence Patterns
Pattern 1: Recommend + Noun
I strongly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
Pattern 2: Recommend + -ing
I strongly recommend checking the details.
I highly recommend checking the details.
Pattern 3: Recommend + That-Clause
I strongly recommend that you arrive early.
I highly recommend that you arrive early.
Pattern 4: Recommend + Noun + To + Person
I strongly recommend this course to beginners.
I highly recommend this course to beginners.
Pattern 5: Passive
The course is strongly recommended for advanced students.
The course is highly recommended for advanced students.
All of these patterns are grammatically possible. The best choice depends on meaning and tone.
Pronunciation
The phrases are pronounced approximately as follows:
Strongly recommend
- strongly: /ˈstrɔːŋli/
- recommend: /ˌrekəˈmend/
Highly recommend
- highly: /ˈhaɪli/
- recommend: /ˌrekəˈmend/
The important pronunciation point is the stress in recommend:
rec-o-MEND
The final syllable receives the main stress.
Word Origins and History
The two adverbs have different histories even though they now perform similar grammatical jobs.
Strongly comes from strong, a word with Old English roots connected with strength and power.
Highly comes from high, which has a long history in English relating to physical height and, by extension, degree, rank, value, or intensity.
Over time, English developed many figurative uses for both words.
That is why highly can mean something like “to a great degree” in expressions such as:
- highly successful
- highly skilled
- highly effective
- highly respected
- highly recommended
Likewise, strongly can express intensity or firmness:
- strongly opposed
- strongly supported
- strongly advised
- strongly recommended
- strongly worded
The modern difference is therefore not based on a simple mathematical scale where one word means “more” than the other. Their meanings have developed through different patterns of English usage.
UK English vs US English
There is no major US-versus-UK distinction between strongly recommend and highly recommend.
Both expressions are standard in American English and British English.
You do not need to choose one simply because your audience is American or British.
The more important distinction is context, emphasis, and collocation.
For example, speakers in both varieties can naturally say:
“I highly recommend this restaurant.”
and:
“I strongly recommend checking the instructions.”
Do Style Guides Prefer One?
There is no universal English style rule saying that writers must always choose strongly recommend or always choose highly recommend.
Professional editing depends on context.
In technical or safety communication, writers often need firm, unambiguous advice:
“We strongly recommend installing the security patch.”
In reviews and endorsements, a positive evaluation may be more appropriate:
“We highly recommend this service.”
The best style choice is therefore the one that accurately reflects the writer’s intended force and meaning.
Strongly Recommend vs Highly Recommend: A Practical Decision Guide
Ask yourself these questions:
Are you giving firm advice?
Use:
strongly recommend
Example:
“I strongly recommend checking the contract.”
Are you warning someone?
Use:
strongly recommend
Example:
“I strongly recommend against driving tonight.”
Are you praising something?
Use:
highly recommend
Example:
“I highly recommend this restaurant.”
Are you writing a review?
Highly recommend is often a natural choice.
Are you giving professional guidance?
Either can work.
Use strongly when firmness matters.
Use highly when positive evaluation is the main point.
Are you writing a recommendation letter?
Either can work.
“I strongly recommend Alex for the position.”
emphasizes conviction.
“I highly recommend Alex for the position.”
emphasizes strong approval.
Memory Tricks
Here are simple ways to remember the difference.
Memory Trick 1: Strong = Serious
Think:
Strongly = strong advice
“You really need to take this seriously.”
Memory Trick 2: High = High Praise
Think:
Highly = high praise
“This is very good, and I approve of it.”
Memory Trick 3: Look at the Purpose
If your purpose is:
“Please take this advice seriously.”
→ strongly recommend
If your purpose is:
“This is excellent; you should try it.”
→ highly recommend
Memory Trick 4: Warning vs Review
Warning → strongly
Review → highly
This is not an absolute grammar rule, but it is a useful starting point.
Related Expressions
Sometimes neither phrase is exactly what you need.
Strong Alternatives
Depending on context, you can use:
- strongly advise
- strongly suggest
- urge
- encourage
- firmly suggest
- recommend emphatically
Example:
“I strongly advise checking the agreement first.”
Alternatives for Highly Recommend
You can also say:
- enthusiastically recommend
- wholeheartedly recommend
- warmly recommend
- endorse
- give my full recommendation
- recommend without hesitation
Example:
“I wholeheartedly recommend this course.”
Choose alternatives carefully because each can change the tone.
Which One Sounds More Natural?
There is no single answer for every sentence.
Consider these examples:
“I highly recommend this movie.”
Very natural.
“I strongly recommend this movie.”
Also natural.
Now:
“I strongly recommend that you check your calculations.”
Very natural.
“I highly recommend that you check your calculations.”
Grammatical and possible, but it can sound slightly more like enthusiastic encouragement than firm professional advice.
And:
“She comes highly recommended.”
Very natural.
“She comes strongly recommended.”
Possible to understand, but much less idiomatic.
The lesson is simple:
Natural English depends on collocation and context, not just dictionary meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “strongly recommend” correct English?
Yes. Strongly recommend is grammatically correct and widely used. It commonly emphasizes firm advice, conviction, or importance.
Is “highly recommend” correct English?
Yes. Highly recommend is also grammatically correct and widely used. It commonly expresses strong approval or a positive evaluation.
Which is better: “I strongly recommend” or “I highly recommend”?
Neither is universally better. Both are correct. Choose strongly recommend when you want firm or serious emphasis, and highly recommend when you want to highlight strong approval or praise.
Can I use “highly recommend” in formal writing?
Yes. Highly recommend can be completely appropriate in professional and formal writing. For example: “I highly recommend Ms. Khan for the position.”
Is “strongly recommend” more professional?
Not automatically. Both phrases can be professional. Strongly recommend may sound more authoritative when giving serious advice, but highly recommend is also common in professional recommendations and evaluations.
Can I say “I highly recommend this”?
Yes. This is a normal English sentence. The claim that “I highly recommend” is inherently incorrect is not supported by actual contemporary usage.
Can I use “strongly recommend” for something positive?
Absolutely. For example:
“I strongly recommend this book.”
The phrase does not have to be negative or cautionary.
Is “highly recommended” the same as “strongly recommended”?
They overlap, but the nuance can differ. Highly recommended often suggests strong praise or a favorable reputation, while strongly recommended can emphasize the firmness of the recommendation. In many contexts, either can work.
Which phrase should I use in a recommendation letter?
Both are acceptable. Use strongly recommend if you want to communicate firm conviction about the person’s suitability. Use highly recommend if you want to emphasize your very positive evaluation. The surrounding wording matters more than the choice of adverb alone.
Final Verdict
The most important point is this:
Both “strongly recommend” and “highly recommend” are correct English.
There is no universal rule that makes one correct and the other incorrect.
The difference is mainly semantic emphasis and tone.
Use strongly recommend when you want to communicate:
- firm advice
- seriousness
- conviction
- importance
- urgency
- a warning
- a strong recommendation to take action
For example:
“I strongly recommend reviewing the contract before signing.”
Use highly recommend when you want to communicate:
- strong approval
- enthusiasm
- praise
- positive evaluation
- confidence in quality
- a favorable personal opinion
For example:
“I highly recommend this book to anyone learning English.”
But remember that these categories overlap. A native speaker can say:
“I strongly recommend this book.”
or:
“I highly recommend this book.”
and both can sound completely natural.
The best approach is not to memorize strongly = correct and highly = correct, or to imagine that one is always more formal. Instead, think about the purpose of your recommendation.
Strongly recommend = “Take my advice seriously.”
Highly recommend = “I think this is excellent.”
When the context does not require a fine distinction, either phrase may work.
Bottom line: If you are warning, advising, or emphasizing the importance of an action, strongly recommend is often the more natural choice.
If you are praising a product, service, book, restaurant, person, or experience, highly recommend is often especially natural.
When the context allows both, choose the one that best matches the tone you want.
Evan Bennett is a language enthusiast who writes simple, clear guides about word meanings, slang, phrases, and everyday expressions.
He helps readers understand modern language quickly with easy explanations and useful examples.