try to best

USAGE SUMMARY

'try to best' is not correct and usable in written English.
The correct phrasing would be 'try one's best', and it can be used when suggesting someone give their utmost effort to do something. Example: She tried her best to get the job done on time.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

AS if New York could let Florida try to best us at ballot-box games.

The New York Times

Libraries are most successful when they look at the needs of their local users and try to best address them using whatever tools are most appropriate.

Princeton University

I try to best decisions for the team, I analyse what I think the game can be, I try to reduce the unpredictability of every match.

Independent

SB So with no predictability and the certain occurrence of infectious disease we can only try to best prepare ourselves and vulnerable countries by mobilising organisations and governments to put in place strong healthcare systems, something which we have failed to do.

The Guardian

As Kant's critique subjects reason to reason, so too does the poet try to best language via language.

Johns Hopkins University

AUVSI RoboSub is a robotics competition in which student-designed robots try to best complete an underwater obstacle course.

Duke University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Martin and Kidd tried to best Bryant and O'Neal.

The New York Times - Sports

Each company has persistently tried to best Google but failed.

The New York Times - Tech

It is important to realize that the proposed policy tries to best use scarce resources.

The New York Times

You try to do your best.

The New York Times

"I always try to do my best.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "try to best", opt for the idiomatic expression "try one's best" to convey the intention of giving your utmost effort.

Common error

Avoid using "try to best" as it's not a standard or grammatically correct phrase. Always substitute it with "try one's best" or a similar alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to best" functions as an attempt to express the intent to outperform or do something to the highest standard. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this phrasing is not grammatically correct or standard English. It should be replaced by "try one's best" or similar alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

19%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Science

19%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "try to best" appears in various contexts, it's crucial to recognize that it is grammatically incorrect and not considered standard English. Ludwig AI recommends using the correct phrasing, "try one's best", or exploring alternative expressions like ""strive to excel"" or "endeavor to surpass". Avoiding "try to best" ensures clarity and credibility in both formal and informal communication. Though examples are found, substituting it with established alternatives is always the best approach. Remember, effective communication relies on using grammatically sound and widely accepted phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

try one's best

Uses the standard idiomatic expression for giving your best effort.

strive to excel

Emphasizes aiming for superior performance or achievement.

endeavor to surpass

Highlights the attempt to go beyond a certain limit or standard.

aim to outdo

Focuses on the intention to perform better than someone or something else.

seek to overcome

Suggests an effort to conquer challenges or obstacles.

make an effort to exceed

Highlights putting in work to surpass expectations or a set level.

attempt to beat

Implies a competitive effort to win or outperform.

try to outshine

Focuses on surpassing in brilliance or excellence.

aspire to triumph over

Conveys a strong desire to achieve victory or dominance.

work to improve upon

Highlights the continuous effort to make something better than it currently is.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "try to best"?

The correct and commonly accepted way to express the idea of doing as well as possible is to use the phrase "try one's best". For example, "I will "try my best" to complete the project on time".

Can I use "try to best" in formal writing?

No, "try to best" is not considered standard English. It's best to avoid it in formal contexts. Instead, use alternatives like "try one's best" or "strive to excel".

What are some alternatives to "try to best" that I can use?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "try one's hardest", "do one's utmost", or "make every effort". These alternatives are more grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Is there a difference in meaning between "try to best" and "try one's best"?

While the intended meaning might be similar, "try to best" is not a recognized or grammatically correct phrase. "Try one's best" is the standard expression that accurately conveys the idea of attempting to do something as well as possible.