it would be best

USAGE SUMMARY

'it would be best' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English, and can be used to make a suggestion or recommend an action.
For example: "Given the situation, it would be best to wait a few days before making a decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It would be best to avoid retail-price regulation altogether.

The Economist

Maybe it would be best if I walked to Iowa.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I really think it would be best," Bryce said.

The Guardian - Books

Alison said it would be best to leave.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It would be best to die for him amid military music, easiest with "The Radetzky March".

The New Yorker

It would be best, he says, if Anasazi sites were left alone.

The Economist

"It would be best if workers could just stay here and earn a good salary".

The New York Times

He replied that he though it would be best to get the facts right.

The New York Times - Books

(Generally, you get the impression that it would be best not to have one).

The New Yorker

It would be best if you were not one of them.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, it would be best not to be seen with him too much.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering advice, use "it would be best" to soften the recommendation and avoid sounding overly prescriptive. This phrasing implies a suggestion rather than a command.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "it would be best" repetitively in formal documents. Opt for stronger, more decisive language (e.g., "it is essential") to convey authority and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it would be best" primarily functions as a modal expression of recommendation or suggestion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to gently advise a course of action, implying that the suggested option is the most suitable or advantageous in a given situation. The examples in Ludwig showcase this across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Wiki

33%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it would be best" is a versatile phrase used to make polite and tactful recommendations. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, remember to consider your audience and the level of formality required. While "it would be best" is generally safe to use in most situations, avoid overuse in highly formal writing where more decisive language might be more appropriate. For alternatives, consider phrases like "it is advisable" or "it is recommended" for more formal contexts, or "it's best to" for more casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's best to

Slightly shorter version with the same meaning.

the best course of action is

More direct and emphasizes the strategic advantage of the action.

the ideal solution is

Highlights that the action is the most perfect or suitable.

it is preferable

Indicates that the action is more desirable compared to other options.

it is recommended

Suggests that the action is officially endorsed or favored.

it would be prudent

Formal and suggests caution and careful consideration.

it is advisable

More formal and emphasizes the prudence of the action.

it's wise to

Implies that the action is intelligent and shows good judgment.

it's a good idea

More casual and suggests a beneficial outcome.

one should

More formal and impersonal suggestion or recommendation.

FAQs

How to use "it would be best" in a sentence?

Use "it would be best" to offer a polite suggestion or recommendation. For example, "It would be best to review the contract before signing it."

What can I say instead of "it would be best"?

You can use alternatives like "it is advisable", "it is recommended", or "it is preferable" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it would be best" or "it is best"?

Both "it would be best" and "it is best" are correct, but they convey slightly different nuances. "It would be best" suggests a hypothetical or conditional scenario, while "it is best" states a more general truth or preference.

When should I use "it would be best" versus "it's better"?

"It would be best" is generally more formal and polite than "it's better". Use "it would be best" in professional or formal settings, and "it's better" in more casual conversations.