did their best

USAGE SUMMARY

"did their best" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone's efforts to achieve something, especially when they were unsuccessful. For example: "The team did their best, but they couldn't beat their opponents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Everyone did their best.

The Economist

They did their best.

The Washington Post

They did their best, I'm sure.

The New Yorker

The guys did their best".

The Guardian - Sport

The cast did their best.

The New York Times - Arts

Fans did their best to stay dry.

The New York Times - Sports

Civil revolutionaries did their best to adapt.

The Guardian - Music

Fortunately for MIT, Wentworth did their best to reciprocate.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I note that all three did their best work elsewhere.

The New Yorker

But they did their best to withstand them — together.

The New York Times - Books

Both managers did their best to appease local fans.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "did their best" with context to clarify the nature of the effort. For example, "They did their best under difficult circumstances".

Common error

Avoid using "did their best" sarcastically or dismissively. This undermines genuine efforts and can damage morale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did their best" functions as a verb phrase that often acts as the predicate of a sentence. It indicates the action of exerting effort to achieve a certain outcome. Ludwig AI indicates this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "did their best" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has made a significant effort, even if the outcome was not ideal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in written English. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, from news reports to everyday conversations. Remember to use it genuinely to acknowledge effort and avoid sarcasm. While alternatives like "gave it their all" or "tried their hardest" exist, "did their best" remains a versatile and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gave it their all

Emphasizes maximum effort and commitment.

tried their hardest

Highlights the intensity of the effort made.

put their best foot forward

Focuses on presenting oneself in the most favorable way.

made every effort

Stresses the diligence and exertion involved.

exerted themselves fully

Highlights the physical or mental exertion.

did all they could

Suggests that all possible actions were taken.

strove to succeed

Focuses on the ambition and drive to achieve a positive outcome.

applied themselves diligently

Emphasizes the focus and meticulousness of their efforts.

endeavored to excel

Highlights the pursuit of outstanding performance.

aimed for perfection

Suggests a high standard of performance and a desire for flawlessness.

FAQs

How can I use "did their best" in a sentence?

You can use "did their best" to indicate that someone made a significant effort, even if they didn't succeed. For example, "Despite the challenges, the team "did their best" to complete the project".

What are some alternatives to saying "did their best"?

Alternatives include "gave it their all", "tried their hardest", or "made every effort", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "did their best" in formal writing?

Yes, "did their best" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. While it is a straightforward expression, it is widely understood and accepted in various contexts.

What's the difference between "did their best" and "succeeded"?

"Did their best" focuses on the effort expended, while "succeeded" emphasizes a positive outcome. Someone can "did their best" without necessarily succeeding; conversely, someone might succeed with minimal effort.