do its best

USAGE SUMMARY

'do its best' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'do its best' to refer to when an entity (person, animal, machine, etc.) is making an effort to achieve something. For example, "My dog always tries to do its best to impress me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

She said the president had already ordered the police force to do its best to find the abductees.

The New York Times

China can only do its best as it is able.

The New York Times

Or it can do its best to keep the market alive.

The New York Times

The Spanish government has left no doubt that it will do its best to defend Repsol's shareholders.

The Economist

The show will do its best if it keeps clobbering its victims with high-tech firepower and low-tech wit.

The New York Times - Arts

Don't mess with Microsoft, or it will do its best to put you out of business.

Forbes

The Nationwide, for example, says it will do its best to help.

BBC

So long as the CICIG is intact, it will do its best to support continued moves to reform Guatemalan politics.

Vice

It kind of figures out what it is and tries to do its best to adjust to it.

Huffington Post

The sport must now do its best to grab it.  .

BBC

Much of the media will do its best to make sure it stays that way.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "do its best", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The system will do its best", specify "The software will do its best to optimize performance".

Common error

Avoid using incorrect possessive pronouns with "do its best". Ensure that the pronoun matches the subject's gender or nature. For example, use "his best" for a male subject, "her best" for a female subject, and "its best" for a company or organization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do its best" serves as a verb phrase, typically functioning as a predicate within a sentence. It indicates an attempt to achieve the highest possible standard or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do its best" is a versatile phrase used to convey commitment, effort, and intention to achieve a positive outcome. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread use, especially in News & Media. While it maintains a neutral register, adapting the language for formal or academic contexts may enhance precision. Remember to clearly define the subject and use the correct possessive pronoun to avoid ambiguity. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively incorporate "do its best" into their writing to assure readers of dedicated effort.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try one's hardest

Replaces 'do its best' with a more general term 'try', emphasizing the intensity of the effort.

give it one's all

Focuses on dedicating full effort and energy to a task.

make every effort

Highlights the exertion of effort to achieve a goal.

strive to achieve

Emphasizes the ambition and determination to reach a certain outcome.

exert oneself

Focuses on the act of applying effort, often implying physical or mental strain.

go the extra mile

Indicates exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort.

put one's shoulder to the wheel

Emphasizes diligent and concerted effort toward a shared goal.

endeavor to succeed

Highlights the intent to succeed through dedicated efforts.

spare no effort

Signifies a commitment to using all available resources and energy.

aim for excellence

Focuses on the intention to achieve a very high standard.

FAQs

How can I use "do its best" in a sentence?

You can use "do its best" when describing an effort made to achieve a goal, such as "The team will "try one's hardest" to meet the deadline" or "The company will "make every effort" to resolve the issue".

What are some alternatives to "do its best"?

Alternatives include phrases like "give it one's all", "strive to achieve", or "go the extra mile", each emphasizing different aspects of effort and commitment.

Is it always appropriate to use "do its best"?

While generally acceptable, consider the formality of the context. In highly formal or academic settings, more precise language may be preferred, but in most situations, "do its best" is perfectly suitable.

Which is more correct, "do its best" or "does its best"?

"Do its best" is used when referring to a future or hypothetical action. "Does its best" is used when describing a current or habitual action. For example, "The company will do its best" versus "The company always does its best".