How to Spell Recommend
Is it reccomend, or recommend?
Common Misspellings:
📊 Frequently misspelled - double M is key, not double C
You're Not Alone
"Recommend" trips up even strong spellers because the double M isn't obvious from pronunciation. Many people mistakenly double the C instead (reccomend) or drop one M entirely (recomend). This simple M&Ms mnemonic will lock in the correct spelling forever.
Why This Mistake Happens
Unclear which consonant doubles: When you say "rek-uh-MEND," the double consonant isn't stressed. Your ear can't distinguish whether it should be CC, MM, or no double at all. Without a reference point, you're guessing.
Visual similarity to other words: Words like "accommodate" have double C, creating interference. Your brain might default to doubling C because that pattern exists elsewhere. The "reccomend" misspelling is common for this reason.
Latin root is hidden: Unless you know that "recommend" comes from "re-" + "commendare" (with double M from "com-"), the spelling seems random. The MM pattern makes sense historically, but you need a modern mnemonic to remember it.
Word Origin
"Recommend" comes from Medieval Latin "recommendare" (to praise, present as worthy), formed from "re-" (again, back) + "commendare" (to commit to one's care). The root "commendare" combines "com-" (with, together) + "mandare" (to entrust). The double M comes from "com-" in "commendare." The word entered English in the 1300s meaning "to commit to someone's care" and evolved to mean "to advise or suggest as worthy."
Etymology Path:
Medieval Latin recommendare → Middle English recommenden → Modern English recommend
The Spelling Trick
"I recoMMend M&Ms"
Why it works: M&Ms (the candy) has two M's in the name, just like "recommend" has two M's in the middle. When you're recommending something you love (like M&Ms), the brand name shows you exactly which letter doubles. It's universally known, contextually perfect, and impossible to forget.
How to use it: When you're typing "recommend" and hesitate on which consonant doubles, think: "I recoMMend M&Ms." The candy brand M&M's appears in your mind with its distinctive double-M logo, showing you it's MM, not CC. The act of recommending M&Ms reinforces the spelling every time.
Examples in Context
Product: "I highly recommend this book - it changed how I think about learning."
Professional: "We recommend scheduling the meeting for next Tuesday."
Medical: "Your doctor may recommend physical therapy after surgery."
Travel: "I recommend visiting the museum early before the crowds arrive."
Casual: "Would you recommend this restaurant to a friend?"
Common Mistakes to Avoid
✗ reccomend - Wrong double (CC instead of MM)
✗ recomend - Missing double (single M instead of MM)
✗ reccommend - Both doubles (CC and MM is wrong)
Quick tip: Think "M&Ms" - the candy has two M's, just like "recommend" has two M's. Related words like "recommendation" and "recommended" follow the same pattern, always with MM. The C never doubles in this word family.