work best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "work best" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that out of all choices, a particular option is the optimal or most effective one. For example: "We found that the products with high lime content worked best for our needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Straight pins work best.

The New York Times

Which brands work best?

The New York Times

What note formats work best?

The New Yorker

And artists work best alone ….

The New York Times

What leadership styles work best?

The Guardian

Simple things work best.

The New York Times

Sandwiches work best.

The New York Times

Wineglasses work best.

The New York Times - Food

What treatments work best?

The Guardian - Opinion

Coated pills work best.

WikiHow

Simple shoes work best.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "work best", ensure that the context clearly indicates the criteria for 'best'. Specify what makes an option optimal, whether it's efficiency, cost-effectiveness, or another relevant factor.

Common error

Avoid using "work best" without providing specific evidence or reasoning. Generic statements like 'This product works best' lack credibility. Instead, detail why it works best by comparing it to alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work best" functions as a comparative verb phrase, indicating the superlative degree of effectiveness among multiple options. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to denote the optimal or most effective choice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

65%

News & Media

22%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "work best" is a versatile and commonly used expression to highlight the most effective option among several alternatives. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Predominantly found in Wiki and News & Media sources, its neutral register makes it widely applicable. When using "work best", ensure clarity by specifying the criteria that define 'best'. Alternatives like "be most suitable" or "operate most effectively" can add nuance, but remember to avoid overgeneralizations and provide specific evidence to support your claims.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be the optimal choice

Emphasizes that the selected option is the best among alternatives.

be most suitable

Indicates the highest degree of appropriateness for a given purpose.

be most efficient

Highlights the option that achieves the best results with the least waste of resources.

prove most effective

Emphasizes that effectiveness has been demonstrated or validated.

operate most effectively

Highlights the efficiency and impact of the operation.

yield the best results

Focuses on the quality and desirability of the outcome.

function optimally

Focuses on the ideal level of functioning, implying peak performance.

be the superior option

Highlights the quality and desirability of the outcome.

perform at its peak

Emphasizes achieving the highest level of performance.

excel in practice

Highlights that the selected option is the best among alternatives.

FAQs

How can I use "work best" in a sentence?

You can use "work best" to indicate the most effective method or option among several. For example, "For this type of soil, fertilizers with high nitrogen content "work best"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "work best"?

Alternatives include "be most suitable", "operate most effectively", or "yield the best results", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "work best" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "work best" when comparing different options or methods and determining which one provides the most favorable outcome based on specific criteria.

Is "work best" formal or informal language?

"Work best" is considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality of the surrounding language will determine the overall tone.