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word usage “I did my best” vs “I did the best I could” English Language Learners Stack Exchange

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I will explain what I was thinking, though in preparing this answer I may have talked myself into accepting that there is no difference in meaning.

When the subject and the auxiliary verb are swapped over, it’s called inversion.

The adjective best is used in a copular construction with the dummy pronoun it.

Watching sports is a very social pastime and best experienced at the place where the match is unfolding.

It may be confusing because sometimes, “experienced” is also used as an adjective (meaning expert) (link). The word “best” is an adjective, and adjectives do not take articles by themselves. Because the noun car is modified by the superlative adjective best, and because this makes the noun car definite in this context, we use the. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Despite my personal impression of these phrases, I could see someone using either phrase to express either meaning.

Answer 1

I could even see myself exchanging these terms with their meanings in certain circumstances, so clearly they’re not mutually exclusive. I accept that not everyone will see any difference between the two. As I said at the beginning of my answer, I’m not sure that I see a difference anymore either. The two phrases do feel slightly different to me, but I can’t explain that any better than what I’ve already said. The reason I said that they don’t mean quite the same thing is that in my experience when someone says “I did the best I could”, what they mean but aren’t saying explicitly is “I did the best I could in the circumstances”. For example, in preparing dinner I did the best I could with the ingredients available in the refrigerator, but if I’d had time to go to the supermarket I could have bought more ingredients to cook something much nicer.

Answers 3

Insofar as meaning goes, though, I can’t discern even a slight difference.

So, “It is the best ever” means it’s the best of all time, up to the present.

So he did the best he could but maybe he could have done better if he was given better tools (i.e. I did the best I could with the given tools which is not my absolute best).

A question word can function as subject, object, complement or adverbial.

“It was the best ever” means either it was the best up to that point in time, and a better one may have happened since then, or it includes up to the present. In an answer on englishforums.com it says that both are exactly the same. In the Young Cook of Britain competition, the finalists were asked which famous person they would like to cook for.

This form assumes or suggests that the purchase will happen, and approves of it. 3 “It’s best (if) he (not) buy it tomorrow.” is not a subjunctive form, and some options do not work well. I experience, I am experiencing, I have experienced it, I have experienced it best. Use “is the best ever” if the thing is currently happening, or ongoing. So, “It is the best ever” means it’s the best of all time, up to the present.

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Your original is correct as-is, except you need to remove the question mark at the end because it’s not a question. Here, we have the adjective best, but this adjective is attached to no noun.

When the subject and the auxiliary verb are swapped over, it’s called inversion. The issue is I thought that with the superlative form of an adverb we should use the article “the” (“the most” or “the best”, e.g.). Using a dependent clause to live happily eliminates the need for using a preposition, where usage can get quite complicated. The best way to ruin a first date is by talking about yourself too much. The best way to use “the best way” is to follow it with an infinitive. I did my best – Self affirmation, or reassurance that one has given something their best effort and can feel good about that effort.

In your example “experienced” is the past tense of the verb to experience, not describing someone as having experience of something. So “best experienced” means the best way to experience something. This implies that Mr. Smith is no longer the speaker’s teacher. This is correct even if Mr. Smith is still working as a teacher, as long as the speaker’s relationship to Mr. Smith has changed. For a more thorough explanation of why the two formats look the same, see JavaLatte’s answer and note that “the best” is a complement. I am not clear on the last bit of the sentence, “which one is the best”.

When I hear I did the best I could I think the speaker might be implying that he could have done better but therewas something external (something that wasn’t up to him) that affected his performance. So he did the best he could but maybe he could have done better if he was given better tools (i.e. I did the best I could with the given tools which is not my absolute best). Another example would be “I did the best I could under those specific conditions and circumstances”. Your example already shows how to use “best” as an adverb. In the context of a person, use “is” if the person is still in the role/relationship you are talking about, and “was” if they’re not in that role/relationship anymore. “Ever” means “of all time”, but the exact meaning changes with the tense.

In essence, one is saying, “I feel good about my efforts.” Insofar as meaning goes, though, I can’t discern even a slight difference. On the other hand we have I did my best which I think is just more generic.

Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. I hope we can both agree this sentence is wrong because “good” is an adjective, and cannot be the subject of “is”. A question word can function as subject, object, complement or adverbial. In your example “experienced” is the verb that is receiving best.

Or in running a race I did the best I could given that I had the flu, but usually I’m a better runner than that. I will explain what I was thinking, though in preparing this answer I may have talked myself into accepting that there is no difference in meaning. Best here is used as an adverb as it provides the description of the experience of watching sport (verb) “at the place where the match is unfolding.”. Watching sports is a very social pastime and Watching sports is best experienced at the place where the match is unfolding. Watching sports is a very social pastime and best experienced at the place where the match is unfolding. Assuming that the passage in the question is about the thinking best solo wellness retreats usa of someone who is faced with choosing a course of action to take, not evaluating the outcome of an action already taken, I would use best as an adjective.

California Income Tax Brackets 2025 2026

california income tax rate

The state’s income tax rates are determined based on taxable income, which is calculated after accounting for various deductions and exemptions. California has the highest top marginal income tax rate in the country. It’s a high-tax state in general, which affects the paychecks Californians earn. The Golden State’s income tax system is progressive, which means wealthy filers pay a higher marginal tax rate on their income. Cities in California levy their own sales taxes, but do not charge their own local income taxes.

Gross Income Deductions

However, it's important to keep detailed records and guarantee that your deductions meet the IRS requirements. Consulting a tax professional can help you maximize your tax savings and avoid any potential issues. The payroll tax expansion increases the state's top income tax bracket from 13.3% to 14.4%. The California Young Child Tax Credit provides up to $1,083 per qualifying child under 6 years old. The credit amount phases out for higher-income taxpayers and is designed to help families with young children.

California Tax Brackets for 2023 Tax Year

Unlike most states that offer deductions, California converts personal exemptions into credits, providing dollar-for-dollar tax reduction. This approach benefits all taxpayers regardless of income level, though california state income tax high earners see proportionally less benefit compared to lower-income taxpayers. California has nine income tax rates, ranging from 1% to 12.3%. Learn more about how to calculate your bill, plus important deadlines. Each bracket corresponds to a range of income, which varies depending on your filing status.

CA tax brackets for married filing separately

California’s income tax rates range from 1% to 12.3%, making it one of the highest state income tax retained earnings rates in the nation. The tax brackets are structured to levy higher rates on individuals with higher incomes, while lower-income earners are subject to lower tax rates. California has one of the highest marginal tax rates in the country. However, how much Californians end up paying in state income taxes depends largely on their income, filing status and which tax rates and brackets apply to them.

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With the sixth-highest tax burden in the United States, California residents are no stranger to paying high taxes.
To keep up with changes in tax law, visit the FTB website.
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How do California tax brackets work?

Understanding your rights can aid in resolving these disputes.
If your taxable income exceeds $1 million, you’ll pay an additional 1% under the Mental Health Services Act, bringing the top marginal rate to 13.3%.
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For example, if your income falls into the highest bracket, only the part of your earnings above that threshold is taxed at the top rate. The tax rates and brackets below apply to income earned in 2024, reported on taxes filed in 2025. The rates remain the same as last year, but the brackets shifted slightly across all filing statuses. Union workers, however, may see legal deductions that don’t fall in either of these categories if such deductions are authorized by your collective bargaining agreement. An example of this kind of deduction is a pension payment. The city of San Francisco levies a gross receipts tax on the payroll expenses of large businesses.

california income tax rate

When Separate Filing May Help:

california income tax rate

As California's middle-income earners brace for the 2024 tax year, they'll be pleased to know that the state has raised the income thresholds for this bracket. Additionally, the tax rates within this range have been adjusted to offer a bit more relief. Guarantee, these changes are designed to account for inflation and provide a fair tax system for all. It has a progressive structure, meaning tax rates increase with higher income.

california income tax rate

California offers processes to dispute penalties and taxes assessed incorrectly. Understanding your rights can aid in resolving these disputes. Filing an accurate return by the deadline helps avoid audits and penalties. Ensure all financial details are correct and complete. Should you need more time to file, you can request an extension. This gives you until October 15 to submit your return.

The federal standard deduction for a Head of Household Filer in 2025 is $ 22,500.00.
The federal tax brackets range from 10% to 37%, while California’s top rate is 12.3% (or 13.3% for income over $1 million).
Part-year residents, however, report all income during their California residency.
So yes—if you get tax from a source in California, you’re on the hook.
Yes—and if you're a business owner, it’s a tax break you can’t afford to ignore.

This means that even if your salary didn’t increase significantly, your taxable income could fall into a different bracket, affecting the amount you owe. Its base sales tax rate of 6.00% is higher than that of any other state, and its top marginal income tax rate of 12.3% is the highest state income tax rate in the country. The Golden State fares slightly better where real estate is concerned, though. The average homeowner pays just 0.71% of their actual home value in real estate taxes each year. California’s income tax system is progressive, meaning tax rates increase with income levels.

California has a progressive state income tax with nine tax rates ranging from 1% to 12.3%.
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Filing California state income taxes can feel overwhelming.
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It functions like a normal income tax and means that the top marginal rate in California is, effectively, 13.3%.
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Who Needs to Pay Estimated Taxes?

california income tax rate

This form is for income earned in tax year 2024, with tax returns due in April 2025. We will update this page with a new version of the form for Mental Health Billing 2026 as soon as it is made available by the California government. High property taxes levied not only on land but also on buildings and structures can discourage investment in infrastructure, which businesses would have to pay additional tax on. Facts & Figures serves as a one-stop state tax data resource that compares all 50 states on over 40 measures of tax rates, collections, burdens, and more. If you're a California resident, the state income tax applies to all your income, no matter where it’s earned. Effective tax planning is crucial in managing the complexities of the California tax system.