our very best

USAGE SUMMARY

"our very best" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a wish of doing one's utmost. For example, "We wish you all the success in the world, and we are sending our very best."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Our very best".

The New York Times

"We are doing our very best.

The New York Times

Granted, we didn't play our very best.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're going to do our very best".

The New York Times

We lost one of our very best.

The New York Times

He leaves with our very best wishes".

The Guardian - Business

And, right now, our very best.

The Guardian - Sport

"We must focus our very best talents on our very best brands".

The New York Times

We'll be giving it our very best shot.

Independent

"Our job was to do our very best with them.

The New York Times

We will do our very best to avoid it".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "our very best" to express sincere effort, wishes, or quality, ensuring it aligns with the context of your message.

Common error

While versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal or technical writing where more precise language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "optimal" or "highest quality" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "our very best" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun (often implied) to indicate the highest level of quality, effort, or wishes. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, and it appears frequently across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "our very best" is a versatile and frequently used adjective phrase signifying maximum effort, quality, or positive wishes. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral to slightly informal register, making it suitable for diverse communication contexts. The related phrases offer similar ways to express commitment and excellence, while mindful writing can enhance clarity by avoiding overuse in overly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

our utmost

Focuses on the maximum effort or ability applied.

our finest

Emphasizes the superior quality or example within a set.

our greatest

Highlights the largest degree of something positive.

the best we can do

Specifies the action of doing one's best within limitations.

all our best wishes

Specifically used when conveying positive sentiments or good tidings.

our supreme effort

Stresses the intensity of the exertion.

our peak performance

Refers to a moment of optimal execution or skill.

our top game

Implies a state of readiness to exhibit superior skill.

what we do best

Highlights our strengths, capabilities and experience.

our most exceptional

Implies surpassing all expectations; the best is the rule, the exceptional is the exception.

FAQs

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

You can use "our very best" to express that you are giving something your utmost effort. For example, "We will give it "our utmost" to complete this project on time."

What can I say instead of "our very best"?

You can use alternatives like ""our utmost"", "our finest", or "the best we can do" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "our very best" or ""our utmost""?

"Our utmost" is generally considered more formal than "our very best". "Our very best" is suitable for both formal and informal situations, while ""our utmost"" is better suited for formal or professional contexts.

Can "our very best" be used to describe both efforts and wishes?

Yes, "our very best" can describe both. You can use it to indicate a level of effort, as in "We're doing the best we can do", or to convey good wishes, like "We send "all our best wishes"".