Meaning & use
doing my best
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Making the greatest effort you can in a situation, even if you do not succeed.
Grammar: Used as a verb phrase; often followed by 'to' + infinitive or 'but'.
Patterns
- doing my best to do something
- doing my best but ...
I'm doing my best to finish the project on time.
She's doing my best to learn Spanish, but it's hard.
He was doing my best under difficult circumstances.
Common combinations
- doing my best to help
- I'm doing my best to help you with your homework.
- doing my best under pressure
- She's doing my best under pressure to meet the deadline.
- doing my best in school
- He's doing my best in school this year.
Synonyms and how they differ
- trying my hardest
- Similar meaning, but 'trying my hardest' emphasizes the effort more strongly and is slightly more informal.
- making every effort
- More formal and often used in written English; it suggests a deliberate, thorough attempt.
Commonly confused: doing my best or doing my bestest?
doing my best vs doing my bestest
Not standard English; 'bestest' is a childish or humorous form. Use 'doing my best' instead.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'doing my best' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Doing my best' is followed by 'to' + infinitive when you say what you are trying to do. The other options use incorrect prepositions or structures.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “doing my best”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.