Write a Review: Give Opinions and Recommendations

The key idea

Choose details that support your judgement, then end with a clear recommendation.

What is it for?

Learn how to review a film, book or restaurant. Describe your experience, judge it with reasons, and give a clear recommendation.

What you need to know

Name the film, book or restaurant and give basic details.
Describe what happens or what customers can expect.
Give one or two strong points and explain why they work.
Mention one weak point and explain its effect.
Finish with a clear recommendation for a particular audience.

1. A review gives a judgement

A review does more than describe something. It tells readers what you think about it. You must explain your opinion with clear reasons. This helps readers decide whether to try it.

Name the thing you are reviewing.
Give your overall opinion.
Support your opinion with details.

The restaurant serves fresh food, and the staff are attentive.

These details explain why the restaurant is enjoyable.

The film has an interesting story, but the ending feels rushed.

This sentence gives one strength and one weakness.

2. Give useful details, not every detail

Describe what readers need to know. For a film, mention the story, acting or setting. For a restaurant, describe the food, service or prices. For a book, mention the subject or writing style. Choose details that support your opinion.

Explain what people can expect.
Choose details that matter to readers.
Do not tell the whole story of a film.
Never reveal the ending when it may spoil the film.

The film follows a young chef who opens a small café.

This introduces the story without giving away its ending.

The menu includes homemade pasta and several vegetarian dishes.

This gives readers useful information about the restaurant.

3. Explain what works and what does not

Use clear words to judge the experience. Words such as enjoyable, useful and disappointing show your opinion. Always add a reason with because, since or a similar phrase. Try to give a fair view.

Give one or two positive points.
Add one weak point when it is relevant.
Explain why each point matters.
Avoid saying something is excellent without giving a reason.

The service is disappointing because our meals arrived late.

The reason makes the negative judgement clear.

The guide is useful because it explains each step clearly.

The detail supports the positive judgement.

4. End with a clear recommendation

Tell readers whether they should try it. You can also say who may enjoy it most. Your final words should match your review. Do not recommend something strongly after describing many serious problems.

Use a direct recommendation.
Name the people who may enjoy it.
Connect the recommendation to your reasons.

I would recommend this café to anyone who enjoys homemade food.

The sentence names the audience and gives a clear choice.

The book is worth reading because its advice is practical.

The recommendation includes a reason.

How to do it, step by step

Introduce the film, book or restaurant.
Describe its main features or what people can expect.
Explain its strongest points and give reasons.
Mention a weakness and explain why it matters.
Give your final judgement and recommendation.

Formulas and key language

Use it for	Example	Another example
I recently visited/watched/read ...	I recently visited a small restaurant near the station.	I recently watched a film about a young musician.
It is about ...	It is about a family that runs a busy hotel.	It is about a student who starts a school club.
One of its best features is ...	One of its best features is the friendly service.	One of its best features is the realistic dialogue.
... works well because ...	The story works well because the characters feel believable.	The menu works well because it offers several affordable meals.
One disappointing thing is ...	One disappointing thing is the limited choice of desserts.	One disappointing thing is the predictable ending.
Although ... , ...	Although the café is small, it feels comfortable.	Although the story starts slowly, it becomes engaging.
I would recommend it to ...	I would recommend it to people who enjoy quiet cafés.	I would recommend it to readers who like family stories.
It is worth ...	It is worth visiting for the fresh food.	It is worth reading for its practical advice.
You may enjoy it if ...	You may enjoy it if you like thoughtful dramas.	You may enjoy it if you prefer simple home cooking.

UK / US: Some words differ between British and American English. For example, British English often uses 'film', while American English often uses 'movie'. Both are correct.

Level up: Replace basic words (good, very, nice) with stronger ones. See our A2 to B1 upgrades page.

Model text

A Small Restaurant with Character

Introduction

Last Saturday, I visited Green Table, a small restaurant near the town library. It serves homemade meals and has a relaxed atmosphere. I wanted to try its vegetarian dishes, which several friends had recommended.

Name the place, give its location, and explain your reason for visiting.

Description

The menu includes fresh salads, vegetable pasta and several desserts. The staff explained the daily dishes clearly, so choosing a meal was easy. The restaurant also has outdoor tables for warmer days.

Give readers useful details about the food, service and setting.

Judgement

What I liked most was the vegetable pasta, which tasted fresh and well-seasoned. The staff were attentive, and our meals arrived quickly. However, the desserts were disappointing because the portions were small for their price. The room also became noisy when more customers arrived.

Explain the strongest points and include weaknesses with clear reasons.

Recommendation

Overall, Green Table offers an enjoyable meal at a reasonable price. I would recommend it to people who appreciate fresh food and friendly service. Visit during quieter hours if you prefer a peaceful meal.

Give your final judgement and advice for future customers.

Common mistakes

✗ The film was enjoyable.

✓ The film was enjoyable because the characters felt realistic.

Add a reason so readers understand your judgement.

✗ I recommend this restaurant for people who enjoy pasta.

✓ I recommend this restaurant to people who enjoy pasta.

Use 'recommend something to someone' in this sentence pattern.

✗ The food was disappointed.

✓ The food was disappointing.

Use 'disappointing' to describe something that causes disappointment.

✗ The book is worth to read.

✓ The book is worth reading.

Use a verb ending in -ing after 'worth'.

✗ The film was excellent, but I recommend it to nobody.

✓ The film was disappointing, so I recommend it to nobody.

Make your final judgement agree with your recommendation.

✗ I would recommend it people who enjoy comedy.

✓ I would recommend it to people who enjoy comedy.

Add 'to' before the people receiving your recommendation.

Plan it, then check it

Plan

Choose a film, book or restaurant you know.
Write down its main features and your overall opinion.
Choose two strengths and one weakness, with reasons.
Decide who would enjoy it and write your recommendation.

Check

Have I introduced the thing I am reviewing?
Have I included useful details instead of every detail?
Have I supported my judgements with clear reasons?
Have I included a fair balance of strengths and weaknesses?
Does my recommendation match my overall opinion?

Practice

EXERCISE:

Choose the best review language

Choose the word or phrase that best completes each sentence.

1.The staff were friendly, and the food was ___.

Friendly staff and enjoyable food give a positive impression.

2.The story was difficult to follow, so the film was ___.

A confusing story can make a film disappointing.

3.The guide explains each step clearly, so it is ___.

Clear instructions help readers, so the guide is useful.

4.I would ___ this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries.

'Recommend' tells readers that you think they should try something.

5.The café is worth ___ because its meals are fresh.

Use a verb ending in -ing after 'worth'.

6.The ending is predictable, but I would still ___ the film to comedy fans.

A film can have a weakness and still suit some viewers.

Now write

Your task

Write a review of a film, book or restaurant you know. Aim for 110-150 words. Use this practice information if you need an example: Green Corner is a small café near a town library. It serves fresh sandwiches and homemade soup. The staff are friendly, but the room becomes noisy at lunchtime. Prices are reasonable. Write an introduction, describe the experience, give reasons for your judgement, and finish with a recommendation. You may use this information or review something else you know. Make your opinion clear, and explain who might enjoy it.

Target: 110-150 words

Word bank

enjoyabledisappointingusefulpredictableimpressiveattentivereasonable pricefresh ingredientsfriendly serviceworth visitingworth readingI would recommendbecauseone weaknessoverall

Sentence starters

I recently visited/watched/read ...
It is about ...
One of its best features is ...
I particularly enjoyed ... because ...
One disappointing point was ...
Overall, I would recommend it to ...

Use made-up names and details if you prefer. Do not share private information.

Instant feedback on your own text is part of Premium.

Check your writing

Have I named the film, book or restaurant?
Have I described what people can expect?
Have I explained my judgements with clear reasons?
Have I included both strengths and a weakness?
Does my final recommendation match my overall judgement?

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