Using "--no-install-recommends" option of apt-get

[Richard Owlett <rowlett@cloud85.net>]

I'm attempting a *VERY CUSTOM* install of Buster.
I did a plain CLI install with no apparent problem.

I logged into the new system as root.
I then attempted to do
apt-get --no-install-recommends mate-desktop-environment ...list of 
other programs...

Error message was that it did not understand "--no-install-recommends" 
in context.

I've done this in previous releases without problems.
What syntax have I forgotten?

TIA