did the best it can vs did the best it could

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Did the best it can' is used when referring to a current or ongoing situation, while 'did the best it could' is used when talking about a past situation. The choice between 'can' and 'could' depends on the tense of the verb in the sentence.

Last updated: April 04, 2024 • 108 views

This phrase is correct when referring to a current or ongoing situation.

"did the best it can"

This phrase is used to express that something or someone has performed to the best of their ability in the present or ongoing situation.

Show examples from the web [+]

did the best it can
In the renewed Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Serbia's negotiating team, headed by Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, did the best it could under the circumstances for the Serbs in Kosovo, stated Minister for EU...
Frankly, I believe that the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development did the best it could, or what was within its power to do, in order to reach an agreement with the Commission.
I did the best I could and it wasn't enough.
The Commission did its best to support the parliamentarians.
The Commission did its best to take into account the comments from your side.
The fact that we went 'round and 'round for the best part of ten years... without ever making it across the finish line leads me to think... we did the best thing by ending it when we did.
When providing entertainment, the USO did its best to attract known stars from back home to help relieve the stresses of war.
The European Union generously released EUR 500 million to help the Kosovars rebuild their country and the Commission did its best too.
The manufacturer did its best to take care of the health of thin strands lacking volume, including a vitamin complex in the shampoo.
Sammy, he did the best he could.
I did the best of alta via 1 & 2 with Holimites - and had one of the best times ever.
I did the best I could, Lindsey.
We did the best that we can.
Musicians who ended up there did the best they could.
They did the best they could, but...
And in those circumstances, we did the best we could.
I did the best I could, sir.
Security on the scene did the best they could.
You did the best thing you could do.
Sammy, he did the best he could.

Alternatives:

is doing the best it can
does the best it can

This phrase is correct when referring to a past situation.

"did the best it could"

This phrase is used to indicate that something or someone performed to the best of their ability in a past situation.

Show examples from the web [+]

did the best it could
In the renewed Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, Serbia's negotiating team, headed by Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, did the best it could under the circumstances for the Serbs in Kosovo, stated Minister for EU...
Frankly, I believe that the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development did the best it could, or what was within its power to do, in order to reach an agreement with the Commission.
I did the best I could and it wasn't enough.
The Commission did its best to support the parliamentarians.
The Commission did its best to take into account the comments from your side.
The fact that we went 'round and 'round for the best part of ten years... without ever making it across the finish line leads me to think... we did the best thing by ending it when we did.
When providing entertainment, the USO did its best to attract known stars from back home to help relieve the stresses of war.
The European Union generously released EUR 500 million to help the Kosovars rebuild their country and the Commission did its best too.
The manufacturer did its best to take care of the health of thin strands lacking volume, including a vitamin complex in the shampoo.
Sammy, he did the best he could.
I did the best of alta via 1 & 2 with Holimites - and had one of the best times ever.
I did the best I could, Lindsey.
We did the best that we can.
Musicians who ended up there did the best they could.
They did the best they could, but...
And in those circumstances, we did the best we could.
I did the best I could, sir.
Security on the scene did the best they could.
You did the best thing you could do.
Sammy, he did the best he could.

Alternatives:

has done the best it could
did its best

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did the best it can vs did the best it could