do our best

USAGE SUMMARY

"do our best" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you want to indicate that someone is trying to achieve or accomplish something to the greatest extent possible. For example, "Let's do our best to finish this project by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We will do our best.

Independent

"We're going to do our best.

The New York Times

Our aim is to do our best.

BBC

We said we would do our best.

The New York Times

"We tried to do our best.

Independent

"But we do our best".

The New York Times

"We just do our best," he said.

The New York Times

So we're going to do our best.

The Guardian - Sport

We do our best to vet them.

The New York Times

We do our best to explain things.

The New York Times

We'll do our best to respond.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do our best" to express a commitment to making a strong effort even when the outcome is uncertain. It conveys dedication and intent, setting realistic expectations while promising diligence.

Common error

Avoid using "do our best" as a substitute for a guarantee. It's a statement of intent, not a promise of a specific result. If a guarantee is needed, combine it with a realistic assessment of what can be achieved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do our best" functions as a commitment or declaration of intent to perform at the highest possible level. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples showcasing its use in diverse contexts, reinforcing its role as a statement of dedication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do our best" is a common and versatile expression used to convey a commitment to making a strong effort, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Grammatically straightforward, it appears frequently across diverse contexts, including news, business, and scientific domains. While similar phrases exist, "do our best" strikes a balance between formality and accessibility, making it suitable for a wide range of situations. Remember to use it as a statement of intent rather than a guarantee, managing expectations effectively while expressing dedication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try our hardest

Emphasizes the intensity of effort being exerted.

give it our all

Highlights a complete dedication of effort and energy.

do everything in our power

Highlights the extent of resources and actions being utilized.

exert ourselves fully

A more formal way of expressing complete effort.

make every effort

Emphasizes the diligence and commitment to the task.

put our best foot forward

Focuses on making a good initial impression or effort.

go the extra mile

Indicates exceeding expectations in terms of effort.

aim for excellence

Shifts the focus to achieving a high standard.

strive for perfection

Suggests an attempt to reach an unattainable ideal.

maximize our potential

Focuses on optimizing capabilities to achieve the best outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "do our best" to indicate that you or a group will try as hard as possible. For instance, "We will "do our best" to meet the deadline, but there may be unforeseen challenges."

What is a more formal alternative to "do our best"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases such as "make every effort" or "exert ourselves fully". These options convey a similar meaning with a higher degree of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "do our best" in professional settings?

Yes, "do our best" is suitable for professional settings when you want to convey commitment and effort without guaranteeing a specific outcome. It is a balanced and realistic expression.

What's the difference between "do our best" and "try our best"?

While similar, "try our best" emphasizes the attempt, whereas ""do our best"" suggests actively engaging to achieve the best possible result. The latter implies a more proactive approach.