try their best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'try their best' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing the idea of an individual or a group of people making an effort to accomplish something. For example: The students in the class were determined to get a good grade and tried their best to finish the assignment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Staff are sweet and try their best.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They have to try their best.

The Guardian - Sport

The Persians try their best to hate us, O.K.

The New York Times

Burmese civilians did try their best whenever the circumstances favoured.

Independent

We tell them to try their best at all times.

The New York Times - Sports

Other designers try their best to disguise them.

The New York Times

Extremely loud sound effects try their best to spook you.

The New York Times

To deal with the problem caused by uncertainties, designers should try their best to get the most robust solution.

Expert Systems with Applications

Local people try their best to respect Madam Pele, as many call her.

Columbia University

And those in the third group were simply told to try their best.

The New York Times

You all know that there's nobody here who doesn't work hard, doesn't try their best.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try their best" when you want to emphasize the effort being made, regardless of the outcome. It acknowledges the attempt, even if success isn't guaranteed.

Common error

Avoid using "try their best" as an excuse for poor results. While it acknowledges effort, it shouldn't overshadow the importance of achieving the desired outcome or address underlying skill gaps.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try their best" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an attempt to achieve a certain standard or goal. It often implies effort and commitment, as confirmed by Ludwig AI's analysis and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try their best" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express effort and commitment. As Ludwig AI points out, it's applicable in diverse contexts, ranging from News & Media to Science. While alternatives like "do their utmost" and "make every effort" offer more formal options, "try their best" remains a versatile and widely understood expression. Remember to use it to acknowledge effort, but not as a substitute for achieving results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give their best effort

Formally highlights that the individual is actively 'giving' their best.

do their utmost

Implies a maximum effort, pushing one's limits to achieve a goal.

give it their all

Suggests a complete dedication of energy and resources to the task at hand.

make every effort

Highlights the deliberate and conscious application of effort.

exert themselves

Focuses on the physical or mental energy expended.

do their best shot

Emphasizes performing the best action or strategy they have access to.

strive to succeed

Highlights the ambition and desire to achieve a positive outcome.

go the extra mile

Signifies exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort.

put their heart into it

Emphasizes the emotional investment and passion in the endeavor.

do what they can

Highlights the acceptance that the best might not be enough but they are contributing anyway.

FAQs

How can I use "try their best" in a sentence?

You can use "try their best" to express that someone is making an effort. For example: "The students will "try their best" on the exam".

What's a more formal alternative to "try their best"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "do their utmost" or "make every effort".

Is it better to say "try their best" or "do their best"?

Both "try their best" and "do their best" are acceptable. "Try their best" emphasizes the act of attempting, while "do their best" focuses on the quality of the effort itself.

What does it mean when someone says they will "try their best"?

It generally indicates a commitment to make a strong effort, but also implicitly acknowledges that success is not guaranteed. The focus is on exerting effort and striving towards a positive result.