doing best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "doing best" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts, but it should be phrased as "doing one's best" for clarity and correctness. Example: "I am doing my best to complete the project on time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Patients will be told which are doing best.

The Economist

But those in computer sciences are doing best of all.

The New York Times

"The regions doing best are among the poorest in the east of the country.

The Economist

A general election is due in May, and everything points to the BJP doing best.

The Economist

But the vision never materialised.Of his recent efforts, Sky Latin America is doing best.

The Economist

David Smith (@dsmitheconomics) Ratings agencies again doing best to make bad situation worse.

The Guardian - Business

Those places which hadn't hiked their prices seemed to be doing best.

The Guardian

It's time for him to get back to doing what he does best, likes doing best.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the ones doing best of all owe their vigour to their novel approach.

The Guardian

"We prioritized and were able to keep growing and adding staff in the places we were doing best".

The New York Times

What is particularly striking is that even within this rich group, the very, very rich are doing best of all.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity and grammatical precision, use "doing one's best" or an alternative like "excelling" or "performing optimally" instead of just "doing best".

Common error

Avoid using "doing best" without a possessive pronoun (e.g., "my", "her", "his"). The phrase often requires clarification to ensure grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing best" functions as a verbal phrase indicating superior performance or effort. However, it often requires a possessive pronoun to be grammatically sound. As Ludwig AI explains, adding a possessive pronoun like 'one's' improves clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doing best" is frequently used but is often considered grammatically incorrect without a possessive pronoun. Ludwig AI analysis and examples show it appears predominantly in news and media contexts. For clearer, grammatically sound writing, it's advisable to use alternatives like "doing one's best", "excelling", or "performing optimally", especially in formal settings. While common, remember to prioritize grammatical correctness and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doing one's best

Adds a possessive pronoun for grammatical correctness.

giving it one's all

Focuses on the effort and dedication put forth.

doing a superior job

Focuses on the quality of the work performed.

excelling

Focuses on surpassing others in a particular skill or activity.

doing everything possible

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the actions taken.

performing at peak level

Suggests a high degree of competence and efficiency.

performing optimally

Emphasizes the achievement of the highest possible level of effectiveness.

striving for excellence

Highlights the pursuit of high standards.

achieving maximum potential

Highlights the realization of one's full capabilities.

endeavoring to do well

Underscores the effort to perform well.

FAQs

How can I use "doing best" correctly in a sentence?

To use the phrase correctly, include a possessive pronoun: "I am "doing my best"", "She is "doing her best"", or "They are "doing their best"".

What are some alternatives to saying "doing best"?

Alternatives include "excelling", "performing optimally", "achieving maximum potential", or simply "doing well".

Is "doing best" grammatically correct?

While commonly used, "doing best" is often considered grammatically incorrect without a possessive pronoun. It's better to say "doing one's best".

When is it appropriate to use "doing best"?

The phrase "doing best" is generally acceptable in informal conversation. In formal writing or professional settings, it's better to use "doing one's best" or another alternative for grammatical clarity.