best among

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "best among" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone is the top choice or most favorable within a specific group or category. Example: "She is considered the best among her peers in the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are getting the best among us".

The New York Times

Mr. Gore did best among urbanites.

The New York Times

And he's the best among the principals.

The New Yorker

But his message may register best among teenagers.

The New York Times

Mr. Lazio did best among white Protestants, conservatives and suburbanites.

The New York Times

And which Republican candidate does best among college-educated whites?

The New Yorker

He does best among the most conservative voters.

The New York Times

Its military establishment is the best among the Balts.

The Economist

In fixation, Red RR was obviously best among these three.

Fashion and Textiles

The best among each two results is highlighted.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The REM performs the best among the schemes compared.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "best among" to clearly indicate a superior choice or item within a defined group. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "best among" when there is no comparison group. For example, saying "This is the best among cars" without specifying which cars are being compared is grammatically incorrect and can confuse your readers. Always provide context or a comparison set.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "best among" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the highest quality or performance within a specific group. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "best among" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote the superior quality or performance within a defined group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal writing. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify the group being compared. Alternatives such as "top-ranked within" or "cream of the crop" can add stylistic variation. When using "best among", avoid vague comparisons and always provide a clear context to maintain accuracy and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

second to none

Uses a strong expression to indicate unparalleled quality or performance.

pre-eminent among

Replaces "best" with "pre-eminent", indicating a superior status or rank.

top-ranked within

Replaces "best" with "top-ranked", emphasizing a formal or competitive ranking.

elite within

Substitutes "best" with "elite", highlighting exclusivity and high social or professional standing.

finest amidst

Uses "finest" instead of "best", adding a touch of elegance; "amidst" replaces "among" for a slightly more literary feel.

superior to the rest

Emphasizes the elevated quality compared to others in the group, changing the structure slightly.

leading the pack

Employs a more figurative expression, suggesting a competitive advantage.

cream of the crop

An idiomatic expression indicating the highest quality within a selection.

outshining others

Focuses on the act of surpassing others, rather than simply being the best.

at the head of

Suggests leadership or being at the forefront, offering a directional sense.

FAQs

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

The phrase "best among" is used to indicate that something is superior within a specific group. For instance, "This novel is the "best among" the nominees" signifies it's considered the finest compared to other nominated novels.

What phrases are similar to "best among"?

Alternatives to "best among" include phrases like "top-ranked within", "cream of the crop", or "second to none". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it always necessary to specify a group when using "best among"?

Yes, it's important to specify the group to which something is being compared. Without a defined group, the statement becomes vague and lacks context. For example, instead of saying "This is the best", specify "This is the "best among" all available options".

What's the difference between "best among" and "best of"?

"Best among" is typically used when referring to a selection within a specific group, while "best of" often implies a compilation or collection of the finest examples from a broader or less defined category. For example, "best among" the finalists versus "best of" the year's films.