正文
Trying, or Doing One’s Best
Today we answer a question from Alan in China.
Question:
I'm wondering about the difference between "try" or "do one's best." My English teacher told me they are same. But I believe every word has a difference. Can you help me? - Alan, China
Answer:
Dear Alan,
Thank you for writing, and yes, we can help!
Your teacher is right that the two expressions can mean about the same thing. But you are right that there is small but important difference between "try" and "do one's best."
"Try" means to make an effort, to attempt to accomplish or complete something. But the effort may or may not be successful.
Like this:
I tried to do my school work, but it was so hard I had to give up!
The person was trying, but did not finish the job.
Now, let's look at "do one's best." The word "do" means to perform an action or an activity. It suggests that the work is happening. "One's best" means to put your maximum effort or attention into the job. Here's how the expression sounds in a sentence:
My school work was hard, but I did my best to get it right. I even stayed after class to ask my teacher to explain it to me.
This person made an extra effort to get the work done. He figured out how to get help. He was not just trying, he was doing his best!
However, sometimes people say they are trying, but they are not putting in much effort. That means they are not doing their best. This is where you can really see the difference between "trying" and "doing your best." It can depend on effort.
As a wise person once told me, "Trying is not always doing." Those are words I try to live by...
And That's Ask a Teacher!
I'm Anne Ball.
Anne Ball wrote this story for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor.
Do you have a question for the teacher? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.
相关文章
- Brazilian Painter Brings Attention to Threatened Amazon Rainforest
- Pfizer Says COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for Children 5-11
- Former Diplomat Likely to Become Japan’s Next Prime Minister
- Two Americans Win Nobel Medicine Prize for Body Sensory Findings
- Physics Nobel Prize Rewards Work on Climate Change
- Creators of Molecule Building Tool Win Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- Robots Do It All at Japanese Car Factory
- S. Korea Launches Group to Debate ‘Living with COVID-19’
- 爱伦·坡的《莫格街凶杀案》Part One
- 埃德加·爱伦·坡短篇小说《威廉·威尔逊》Part One