"as well as" vs "as best"

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Nightmare85

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Hello,
I have learned a lot in these forums. :up:
For example that native speakers say:
I will try to help you as best I can.
instead of
I will try to help you as well as I can.

However, I would like to know more about this.
Is it only common to use "as best" when I talk about me?
Would it be better to use "as well as" in these sentences:
I know that you, as his father, always support him as well as you can.
This team should play as well as it can, or else it will have no chance.
The new teacher tries to do her job as well as she can.
:?:

Thank you!

Cheers!
 

sarat_106

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Oriya
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Hello,
I have learned a lot in these forums. :up:
For example that native speakers say:
I will try to help you as best I can.
instead of
I will try to help you as well as I can.

However, I would like to know more about this.
Is it only common to use "as best" when I talk about me?
Would it be better to use "as well as" in these sentences:
I know that you, as his father, always support him as well as you can. Use as best
This team should play as well as it can, or else it will have no chance.
The new teacher tries to do her job as well as she can. Use as best
:?:

Thank you!

Cheers!

I am afraid not. as well as and as best one can are idioms having different meanings and applications.
as well as means: as much or as truly as; equally as and is used to express similarity or equality in a specified characteristic, condition, etc., as between one person or thing and another, as:
Joan is witty as well as intelligent
The editors as well as the proofreaders are working overtime
as best one can = in the best way possible under the circumstances:
We tried to smooth over the disagreement as best we could.
 
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Nightmare85

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Thanks,
I guess I should use "as best" for all three sentences :)
(You did not comment the 2nd one, but I guess it's the same rule.)

Cheers!
 

Nightmare85

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German
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Current Location
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Guys, I have another question.

Person 1: I'm very good at this topic
Person 2: I believe I'm as good as you at this topic.

But:
Person 1: I speak English very well.
Person 2: I believe I speak English as well as you.

In this case person 2 shoul not use "as best", but is "as well as" okay here :?:
Should I better use "as well as you do" :?:

Cheers!
 

bhaisahab

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Apr 12, 2008
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Retired English Teacher
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British English
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Guys, I have another question.

Person 1: I'm very good at this topic
Person 2: I believe I'm as good as you at this topic.

But:
Person 1: I speak English very well.
Person 2: I believe I speak English as well as you.

In this case person 2 shoul not use "as best", but is "as well as" okay here :?:
Should I better use "as well as you do" :?:

Cheers!
Yes, "as well as" is correct. You could use "as well as you do" but the "do" is not necessary. "As best as you" would not be correct.
 
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