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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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best existed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "best existed" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to express a superlative form of existence, but it lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "The concept of the best existed in the minds of philosophers for centuries."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Pacquiao is not the same fighter he was five years ago but much of that has to do with complacency and lack of motivation, while the only opponent capable of demanding his very best existed tantalisingly beyond his reach.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This is in comparison to the use of existing reference data (e.g., field or airphoto data), which, at best, exist for only parts of the area of interest, for only specific time periods, or are restricted thematically.

They, like so many whitefella politicians, view Indigenous culture as something that is best exists in museum, rather than lived in urban or rural communities.

News & Media

The Guardian

Linguists acknowledge that the data are inexact, but by the end of this century perhaps as many as fifty per cent of the world's languages will, at best, exist only in archives and on recordings.

News & Media

The New Yorker

If a transcript was mapped to multiple genomic loci, then only the best mapping was retained; if more than one nearly identical best mapping existed (difference in BLAT scores < 5%), then the transcript was discarded to avoid ambiguity.

The comparisons between experimental and theoretical elastic moduli showed that the best agreement existed in the warp and weft directions and the accuracy of using the theoretical equation to calculate elastic modulus was dependent on material linearity.

Once all variables of interest have been searched in all datasets, the programme will automatically process those cases where no variable was found or where a best match existed.

If more than one best-match existed, an arbitrary assignment was made.

The reduce function scans the list of alignments for each read and records the best alignment if an unambiguous best alignment exists.

May riffs on the films of John Cassavetes, which are some of the best that exist.

News & Media

The New Yorker

His best poems exist on a different plane, as if he has achieved and is writing from a transcendent vantage most of us only strive for.

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "best existed". Instead, rephrase your sentence to use more grammatically sound alternatives like "the best conditions existed", "the best opportunity arose", or "the best agreement was found".

Common error

A common mistake is to directly combine "best" with "existed" as if "best" is an adverb modifying "existed". To avoid this, ensure that "best" properly modifies a noun and that the noun's existence is being described. For example, instead of "the best existed", write "the best solution existed" or "the best opportunity existed".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "best existed" attempts to combine a superlative adjective with a verb of existence, but often lacks a clear subject. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically questionable and needs rephrasing for clarity. Sentences that contain it require a noun for "best" to modify, clarifying what specifically was at its "best".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "best existed" might appear in various contexts, its grammatical awkwardness makes it a less-than-ideal choice for clear and effective communication. Ludwig AI confirms its questionable grammatical status. It is better to rephrase your sentences to clearly define what was at its best, like "the best opportunity existed" or "the best solution was available". Pay close attention to ensuring that "best" properly modifies a noun, and avoid the direct combination that results in the grammatically questionable "best existed". Opting for alternatives not only improves grammatical correctness but also enhances clarity and readability.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "best existed" to sound more natural?

Consider alternatives like "the best conditions existed", "the best opportunity arose", or "the best example was found". The specific choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's wrong with saying "best existed"?

The phrase "best existed" is not grammatically correct in standard English. "Best" is typically an adjective or adverb that needs to modify a noun or verb properly. Without a clear noun to modify, the phrase sounds awkward and unclear.

Which is correct, "best existed" or "the best existed"?

Neither phrase is ideal. Instead, try restructuring the sentence to clarify what was at its best. For instance, "the best opportunity existed" is more precise than simply "the best existed".

What can I say instead of "the best option existed"?

You can use alternatives such as "the best option was available", "the optimal solution was present", or "the finest alternative was there", depending on the context.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: