ultimate best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ultimate best" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize the highest level of quality or excellence in a particular context. An example could be: "This is the ultimate best solution for our problem." Alternative expressions include "absolute best" and "finest option."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"I think that's when you can play your ultimate best tennis".

The New York Times - Sports

That is the ultimate best thing in mathematics, if you have an insight that something seemingly complicated is really simple, but simple after the fact".

The New York Times

Representing my country means everything to me and I want to perform at my ultimate best always but that's just not happened this Paralympics.

The Guardian - Sport

"Now, people are not breathing on the food, there is no bacteria on it and you get the ultimate best product at best price".

The New York Times

The paper presents the way in which the encountered technical issues were or will be solved, although the proposed way may not be the ultimate best solution.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Mint Cookie Chums is described as "the ultimate best friend accelerator" and features mint chocolate-flavored frozen Greek yogurt with chocolate cookie pieces.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The NBA, while growing in popularity in the 1980s, struggled to find an identity for its ultimate best-of-7 race for a championship.

Los Angeles Times

Although such heterogeneity may theoretically contribute to the instability of resulting models, the ultimate best-fit model was remarkably stable and most likely a result of the large sample size.

Behavior Genetics

By 1506, after two years of the competition, the city of Florence was confident it knew who was the best artist, the ultimate genius.

The Guardian - Arts

This light-textured beauty won the ultimate accolade — "best cheesecake ever" — from an Italian-American friend who has never said no to cheesecake.

The New York Times

It invokes a concern for some full, complete, ultimate, or best explanation of what exists contingently.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "ultimate best" isn't incorrect, consider if using just "ultimate" or "best" suffices. Redundancy can weaken your writing. Choose the stronger single word to maintain clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "ultimate best" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Overusing such intensifiers can make your writing sound hyperbolic and less credible. Instead, vary your language to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ultimate best" functions as a superlative modifier, intensifying the quality of something. It's used to emphasize that something is not just good, but the highest possible standard or most excellent version.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "ultimate best" is often redundant and can be stylistically awkward. Ludwig AI highlights its redundancy, suggesting that using either "ultimate" or "best" alone is generally clearer and more impactful. The phrase sees limited use across various contexts, including news, science, and wikis, as shown in Ludwig's examples. To improve your writing, prioritize conciseness and consider alternative expressions like "absolute best" or simply "finest". By being mindful of redundancy, you can enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Absolute best

Replaces "ultimate" with "absolute", conveying a similar meaning of being the highest standard.

Very best

Uses "very" for emphasis, indicating a high degree of quality or excellence.

Finest

A single word synonym, implying superior quality or skill.

Greatest

Indicates the highest level of achievement or quality.

Optimum

Focuses on the most favorable or advantageous condition.

Peak

Implies reaching the highest point or level of performance.

Supreme

Suggests the highest in rank or authority; the best of its kind.

Top-tier

Describes something as belonging to the highest level or class.

Leading

Indicates being at the front or in the most important position.

Unsurpassed

Implies that something is better than anything else of its kind.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "ultimate best"?

While not strictly incorrect, "ultimate best" is often considered redundant because "ultimate" already implies the highest degree. It's generally better to use either "ultimate" or "best" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to using "ultimate best" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "absolute best", "very best", or simply "finest" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "ultimate best"?

While it is rarely the most elegant choice, the phrase "ultimate best" is appropriate when you want to add emphasis to a superlative, typically in informal contexts. However, consider whether the emphasis truly adds value.

What's the difference between "ultimate best" and "best"?

"Best" simply indicates something is superior. "Ultimate" also indicates a superlative, so "ultimate best" is like saying "most best", creating redundancy. Using just "best" is often clearer and more concise.