be best known

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be best known" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey the idea of being widely recognized or famous for something, but the construction is awkward. Example: "He is best known for his role in the blockbuster film."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

(Rupert Sanders may be best known for sleeping with his).

The Guardian - Film

Carol Bove may be best known for her book smarts.

The New Yorker

I.B.M. may be best known for its big computers that run corporate and government data centers.

The New York Times

Today, District VII may be best known for its night life.

The New York Times - Travel

Today, he may be best known for his 1908 essay, "Ornament and Crime".

The New York Times - Magazine

Francis Fukuyama will always be best known for one cosmic soundbite – "The End of History".

The Guardian - Books

She may be best known for her appearances with the Boston Camerata.

The New York Times

Rebecca Miller ought to be best known as an award-winning writer and director.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The Town of Westlake, Texas, might be best-known for being the home of the Jonas Brothers.

Forbes

SAN FRANCISCO -- Silicon Valley may be best-known for its consumer technology companies.

Los Angeles Times

The group might be best-known to automotive enthusiasts through its annual SEMA Show each November in Las Vegas.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While the phrase "be best known" is frequently used, consider using alternatives like "be most famous for" or "be primarily known for" for improved grammatical clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "be best known" in formal writing where grammatical correctness is crucial. Opt for alternatives that offer similar meaning with better grammatical structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase primarily functions as a descriptor, highlighting a person, place, or thing's most prominent attribute or achievement. Despite Ludwig AI marking it as grammatically incorrect, it commonly appears in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be best known" is frequently employed to highlight a person, place, or thing's most prominent attribute. Despite its common usage across various sources, including news and media outlets, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. As a result, while the phrase is widely understood, it is recommended to opt for grammatically sound alternatives such as "be most famous for" or "be primarily known for" for improved clarity and precision, especially in formal writing. Therefore, while "be best known" is pervasive, awareness of its grammatical status is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be most famous for

Focuses on fame as the primary attribute, rather than general recognition.

be primarily known for

Highlights that something is the main reason for recognition.

be best recognized for

Emphasizes recognition, making it about how people perceive the subject.

be renowned for

Suggests a higher degree of fame and respect.

be distinguished for

Implies a unique and respected quality or achievement.

be celebrated for

Highlights the positive and praiseworthy nature of what someone is known for.

be notable for

Indicates something is particularly worthy of attention or notice.

be famed for

A more formal and literary way of saying 'famous for'.

be widely known for

Emphasizes the breadth of awareness about something.

be commonly known for

Indicates general knowledge or public awareness.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "be best known"?

You can use alternatives like "be most famous for", "be primarily known for", or "be best recognized for" depending on the context.

Is "be best known" grammatically correct?

While widely used, "be best known" is considered grammatically incorrect in formal writing. It's preferable to use alternatives that offer more precise grammatical structure, as Ludwig AI confirms.

How to use "be most famous for" instead of "be best known"?

Replace "be best known" with "be most famous for" to emphasize widespread fame. For example, "The author is most famous for his debut novel" is a good alternative to "The author is best known for his debut novel".

What's the difference between "be primarily known for" and "be best known"?

"Be primarily known for" indicates the main reason for recognition, while "be best known" implies general recognition. Opt for "be primarily known for" to highlight the primary aspect for which someone is recognized.