But best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "But best" is not a complete or standard expression in written English.
It may be used in a context where it is part of a larger sentence, typically to introduce a contrasting idea or to emphasize a preference. Example: "I enjoyed all the dishes, but best was the chocolate cake."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But best check.

Independent

But best friend?

The New York Times

But best of all, there was money.

The New York Times

But best film of the year?

The Guardian

But best of all would be prevention.

The New York Times

But best of all is our Bar.

The Guardian - Film

But best just to stay in your stateroom".

The New Yorker

But best of all were the bakeries: Tai Pan.

The New York Times

But best of all was re-experiencing her performance abilities.

Independent

But best of all was the film's mere existence.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But best of all, the humor works on many levels.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but best" to introduce a highlight or a positive aspect that contrasts with something previously mentioned. This emphasizes a favorable point.

Common error

While acceptable in informal contexts, overuse of "but best" can sound repetitive or simplistic in formal writing. Opt for stronger transitions like "however" or "nevertheless" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but best" functions as a conjunction, introducing a clause that presents a favorable contrast to a previous statement. It's typically used to highlight a particularly positive aspect. As Ludwig AI states, this construction is acceptable, commonly used to introduce a contrasting idea or to emphasize a preference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but best" is a commonly used expression to introduce a positive contrast to a preceding statement. While not strictly grammatically perfect, Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, especially in informal contexts like news, media and general conversation. Alternatives such as "however, the best" or "yet, the best" offer more formal options. When using "but best", consider the context and choose the phrasing that best suits the desired level of formality and clarity. The examples provided by Ludwig showcase diverse applications, highlighting its versatility in conveying a shift to a favorable point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Yet the best

Replaces "but" with "yet" to maintain the contrast while keeping the superlative.

However, the best

Substitutes "but" with "however" for a more formal contrasting transition.

Still, the best

Uses "still" to indicate a contrast while highlighting the superlative quality.

Nevertheless, the best

Offers a stronger contrast using "nevertheless" before indicating the best aspect.

Even better, though

Inverts the structure to emphasize the improved element after acknowledging a prior point.

More favorably, the best

Adds emphasis on the favorable aspect by using "more favorably."

On the bright side, the best

Introduces a positive perspective using "on the bright side" before mentioning the best feature.

On a positive note, the best

Similar to "on the bright side", but uses "on a positive note" for introducing the best element.

That said, the best

Uses "that said" to smoothly transition to the most positive element.

Nonetheless, the best

Similar to "nevertheless", indicating a strong contrast with what precedes it.

FAQs

How can I use "but best" in a sentence?

Use "but best" to introduce something particularly positive or preferable following a contrast. For example, "The service was slow, but best of all, the food was delicious."

What are some alternatives to "but best"?

You can use alternatives like "however the best", "yet the best", or "still the best" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to use "but best"?

While commonly used, "but best" is not considered grammatically perfect. It's often used informally to emphasize a positive aspect despite a preceding negative or neutral point.

What's the difference between "but best" and "but the best thing is"?

"But best" is a shortened, more informal way of saying "but the best thing is". The longer version is grammatically clearer and may be preferred in formal contexts.