I always have been having problems how to understand which preposition to use. Of course there are examples, in which the preposition is obvious. For me the problem occurs when "Do your best in/on/at x." means "Deal with x as effectively as you can.". Which grammar rules or methods should I use for this case?
Examples of phrases I have this problem with include the following:
- I'll do my best on the TOEFL preparation so I'll get a higher score on the exam.
- I'll do my best on the test tomorrow.
- Do your best in achieving this goal.
- Do your best in the planning of our weekend.
- Do your best in filling out the form.
The following phrases were changed according to suggestions by Robusto, so now they don't have this problem:
- I see these questions for the first time so I haven't prepared for them. Should I just do my best to guess the right answers?
- You will have only 15 seconds to prepare so do your best to use them effectively.
Should I ever write or say "I will do my best at x", when I use it in the meaning "I will cope/deal with x (as good as I will be able to)"?
Best Answer
That's a "trick" question because it is not about what follows "best", but simply about "should you use 'in' or 'on'?".
The double-trick is that in some case, you could (with a slight variation of context) use 'for'!
Anyway, if we stick to the initial choice 'in' or 'on', the final trick is in some case, both could be used, like the two first examples ("on" maybe being more commonly used in the US)
I find (personal rule)
Meaning I don't find your examples "wrong".