Sami's and Dikran's answers cover both ends of the spectrum. The trick is tell which verb to use when where.

If the context is positive, as in when A speaks to B in favor of C to help C obtain employment in a competitive situation, we use such positive words as "recommend," "support," or "endorse." In most situations, we use the noun forms of these words, introduced by generic verbs, as in:

- My wife is applying for the director's position. I would appreciate your endorsement.

- It would help my son if you could slip in a word of support for his Boy Scout application.

- I am counting on your recommendation to get this job.


The verb "to nominate" is much stronger than the above. It carries the sense of a direct role in a structured process where people are nominated before a selection process begins, although, as with many other words, "nominate" is often used in a looser manner simply to mean "recommend."


Where the context is negative or somewhat problematic, the verb "intercede" begins to make sense. It is the same word we use for the role ascribed to "saints" (or the Prophet Muhammad in the Sunni Islamic tradition) on behalf of sinners. In Arabic, we call that SHAFA"A.

In Arab countries (of the Middle East at least), the person you count on to give you the support is called WASITA ("vitamin W"). In English, we simply call such a person a "connection." For instance, you may hear someone say, "I've got two connections in that department, but one of them does not want to get involved."


Fuad