try your best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try your best" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when encouraging someone to give their all to a task or when advising them to put forth their maximum effort. For example, "No matter what the outcome, make sure to try your best."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You try your best.

The Guardian

You can only try your best.

Independent

Try your best all the time.

WikiHow

Try your best.

WikiHow

Always try your best!

WikiHow

So, just try your best.

WikiHow

Try your best next time!

WikiHow

Try your best in school.

WikiHow

Always try your best to.

WikiHow

Try your best in academics!

WikiHow

Try your best in P.E.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When encouraging someone facing a challenge, use "try your best" to convey support and motivate them to persevere even if the outcome is uncertain.

Common error

While "try your best" is suitable for general encouragement, avoid using it excessively in formal or professional contexts. Opt for stronger, more specific phrases like "ensure optimal performance" or "maximize efficiency" to convey a higher degree of expectation and commitment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try your best" functions as an imperative, offering encouragement or advice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to motivate individuals to exert maximum effort. It implies that the outcome may not be guaranteed but that the effort itself is valuable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

74%

News & Media

8%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try your best" is a common and generally accepted way to encourage effort and perseverance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While generally informal, its frequent occurrence across Wiki and News & Media demonstrates its versatility. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "make every effort". Remember to use "try your best" to motivate others, but be mindful of the context to ensure the message is appropriate and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give it your all

Emphasizes maximum effort and commitment to a task.

do your utmost

Highlights the application of the greatest possible effort or exertion.

do all you can

Suggests utilizing all available resources and abilities to achieve a desired outcome.

make every effort

Underscores the importance of diligence and persistence in achieving a goal.

put your best foot forward

Focuses on making a good first impression or presenting oneself favorably.

go the extra mile

Implies exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort beyond what is required.

exert yourself

Stresses the physical or mental effort required to accomplish something.

strive for excellence

Focuses on the pursuit of superior quality and outstanding performance.

aim high

Encourages setting ambitious goals and striving for excellence.

give it a shot

Implies an attempt to achieve something, with no guarantee of success.

FAQs

How can I encourage someone using the phrase "try your best"?

You can use "try your best" when encouraging someone to give their all to a task or when advising them to put forth their maximum effort. For instance, say "No matter what the outcome, make sure to try your best".

What are some alternatives to "try your best"?

You can use alternatives like "give it your all", "do your utmost", or "put your best foot forward" depending on the context.

Is "try your best" formal or informal?

"Try your best" is generally considered informal but appropriate for everyday conversations, friendly advice, or casual encouragement. More formal situations might require phrases like "make every effort" or "strive for excellence".

When is it not appropriate to say "try your best"?

Avoid using "try your best" in situations where a higher level of commitment or guarantee is expected, such as in professional agreements or when conveying critical instructions. In these cases, more direct and assertive language is preferable.