doing its best

USAGE SUMMARY

"doing its best" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone or something that is doing the best that it can, or is trying its hardest. For example, “The team was doing its best to complete the project on time.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the Israeli government keeps doing its best to make it so.

The Economist

It is doing its best.

The Economist

Facebook maintains it is doing its best.

The New York Times - Tech

It is doing its best to appear shocked.

The Guardian - Film

Michigan may not have found itself quite yet, but it is doing its best.

The Economist

BellSouth says it is doing its best to treat the CLEC's fairly.

The New York Times

But it is doing its best, with support from UNICEF, to address the issue of HIV.

Unicef

Yum Brands is doing its best to spoil it.

The New York Times

In fact, AAUW is doing its best to instigate it.

Huffington Post

"Myanmar is doing its best with full commitment to make it free, fair and transparent".

The Guardian

And it's there, on the other side of the garage, doing its best to lurk.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "doing its best", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific effort or action is being maximized. This adds clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "doing its best" as a generic filler. Provide specific details or examples to support the claim that maximum effort is indeed being applied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing its best" functions as a descriptive phrase, often part of a verb phrase, to express that an entity is exerting maximum effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to describe someone or something striving to achieve a particular goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doing its best" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe an entity exerting maximum effort to achieve a goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, as well as Formal & Business communications. While the phrase carries a neutral register, more formal alternatives may be suitable for academic or scientific writing. When using "doing its best", ensure that the context clearly defines the specific effort being maximized to enhance clarity. Avoid using the phrase as a generic filler; instead, provide specific examples to support the claim of maximum effort. Related phrases such as "trying its hardest" or "making every effort" can provide subtle variations in meaning and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trying its hardest

Emphasizes the effort and determination involved.

making every effort

Highlights the exertion of energy to achieve a goal.

giving it its all

Suggests a complete dedication of resources and energy.

exerting maximum effort

Focuses on the intensity of the endeavor.

striving for excellence

Implies a pursuit of high quality or superior performance.

putting its best foot forward

Highlights the presentation of the most favorable aspects or qualities.

endeavoring to succeed

Emphasizes the active attempt to achieve success.

working to the best of its ability

Focuses on the maximum capability being utilized.

applying itself diligently

Highlights the persistent and attentive application of effort.

going the extra mile

Indicates exceeding the standard or expected effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "doing its best" to describe an entity that is making a strong effort to achieve a particular outcome. For example, "The company is "doing its best" to meet the increased demand".

What are some alternatives to "doing its best"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "trying its hardest", "making every effort", or "giving it its all".

Is it appropriate to use "doing its best" in formal writing?

Yes, "doing its best" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in formal contexts, consider using alternatives that convey a slightly more professional tone, such as "striving for excellence".

What's the difference between "doing its best" and "done its best"?

"Doing its best" implies a continuous effort in the present, while "done its best" suggests the effort is complete. For example, "The team is "doing its best" to finish the project" versus "The team has "done its best", and now we await the results".