英语短语"to the best of one's ability"的核心含义是“尽某人最大努力”“竭尽全力”“力所能及地”,强调“在自身能力范围内做到最好”。
字面直译是“到某人能力的最佳程度”,实际表达“用自己全部的能力去做某事”,隐含“无论结果如何,已付出最大努力”的意味。
该短语是状语短语,通常修饰动词或整个句子,说明动作的“努力程度”。结构中:
"one's" 需替换为形容词性物主代词(my/your/his/her/our/their)或名词所有格(Tom's/Mary's),与主语保持一致;
常置于句末(修饰前面的动词),或用于动词短语后(如do sth. / work / help等)。
最常用的结构是:do / work / help / perform + sth. + to the best of one's ability
1、 工作/任务:
I will complete the project to the best of my ability.
(我会尽最大努力完成这个项目。)
She handled the difficult client to the best of her ability.
(她竭尽全力应对那个难缠的客户。)
2、 帮助他人:
If you need any help, I'll assist you to the best of my ability.
(如果你需要帮助,我会尽我所能帮你。)
My neighbors supported us to the best of their ability when we moved.
(我们搬家时,邻居们尽他们所能帮忙。)
3、 学习/比赛:
He studied for the exam to the best of his ability, so he passed easily.
(他尽最大努力复习考试,所以轻松通过了。)
Every athlete will compete to the best of their ability in the Olympics.
(每位运动员都会在奥运会上竭尽全力参赛。)
4、 承诺/保证:
I can't promise perfection, but I'll try to the best of my ability.
(我不能保证完美,但我会尽最大努力。)
do one's best / try one's best:更口语化,强调“努力”;
as hard as one can:更强调“努力的程度”;
to the best of one's ability:更正式/书面,且突出“在自身能力范围内做到极致”(隐含“能力有限但已尽全力”)。
所有格需正确:不能说“to the best of me ability”(应为my),或“to the best of he ability”(应为his);
可省略后面的“ability”吗?不建议——完整表达是“to the best of one's ability”,省略后(如“to the best of my”)语法错误。
总结:这个短语是表达“尽力而为”的正式且精准的方式,适用于工作、学习、帮助他人等各种需要强调“努力程度”的场景。