[Grammar] as best you can

[kadioguy]

as best you can
not perfectly but as well as you are able

We'll manage as best we can.

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/best_2#best_idmg_1
-------
I am wondering about the structure of the phrase. For example,

I'll do it as best I can.

Can I take it to mean the two?

1. I'll do it as I can do it best.
2. I'll do it in the best way I can do it.

 

[teechar]

1. I'll do it as I can do it best.

What do you mean by that?

 

[jutfrank]

I am wondering about the structure of the phrase.

My advice to you is: don't. There are other things to wonder about. Just concentrate on the meaning and use and accept the structure as it is. The meaning is expressed very clearly in the dictionary entry you quoted.

Structurally, you just need to learn it as a semi-fixed expression: as best + subject pronoun + can

 

[kadioguy]

Thank you both.

1. I'll do it as I can do it best.

What do you mean by that?

I mean something like this:

I'll do it to the best level I can do it.

Is this one better?

 

[Rover_KE]

No.

I'll do it as well as I can.

 

[kadioguy]

I'll do it to the best level I can do it.

Is this one better?

No.

Thank you, Rover_KE.

What do you mean by "no"? I think my sentence above is grammatical, so do you mean it sounds too wordy or something?

 

[jutfrank]

I mean something like this:

I'll do it to the best level I can do it.

Is this one better?

This question is confusing in a way that is very typical of you, kadioguy. As is so often the case, I don't know if you're trying simply to understand the meaning of the phrase or if you're trying to rephrase it in a different way.

1) If you're trying to understand the meaning, then yes, I'm confident you've understood correctly.

2) If you're trying to rephrase the phrase, then don't. There's no need to. Get the meaning first, and then notice the structural form that expresses the meaning. That's how you learn. The dictionary entry you quoted explains the meaning very clearly. Do you really not understand? If not, which part of it don't you understand?

 

[Tarheel]

Kadioguy, try:

I'll do my best.

Or:

I'll do the best I can.

Or:

I'll do my level best.

All are used.

 

[jutfrank]

I'll do my best.

Or:

I'll do the best I can.

Or:

I'll do my level best.

I think it's worth pointing out that those phrases are grammatically different from the phrase we're discussing.

I'll do the best I can.
I'll do it as best I can.

 

[kadioguy]

Thank you all.

This question is confusing in a way that is very typical of you, kadioguy. As is so often the case, I don't know if you're trying simply to understand the meaning of the phrase or if you're trying to rephrase it in a different way.

1) If you're trying to understand the meaning, then yes, I'm confident you've understood correctly.

2) If you're trying to rephrase the phrase, then don't. There's no need to. Get the meaning first, and then notice the structural form that expresses the meaning. That's how you learn. The dictionary entry you quoted explains the meaning very clearly. Do you really not understand? If not, which part of it don't you understand?

Hi, jutfrank. I am (1), trying to understand the meaning, because I have realized that it seems to be impossible to analyse/analyze the structure of this phrase in a grammatical way.

(I should have clarified this in my last post to save members' time. )

 

[jutfrank]

I am (1), trying to understand the meaning, because I have realized that it seems to be impossible to analyse/analyze the structure of this phrase in a grammatical way.

Good! So do you understand the meaning? (Please say yes because I know you do.)

 

[kadioguy]

Good! So do you understand the meaning? (Please say yes because I know you do.)

Yes, I do.