have managed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"have managed to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when talking about accomplishing a difficult task or managing to do something despite difficulties. For example: "I have managed to finish my project ahead of schedule despite the difficult circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You have managed to supply that need.

Independent

"Around 200 have managed to get across.

The Guardian

Other countries have managed to control this.

The Guardian

Many have managed to find homes outside.

The New York Times

Two have managed to get hits.

The New York Times - Sports

"We have managed to obtain transparency.

The Guardian

Few countries have managed to do so".

The Guardian

Yet, very few jurisdictions have managed to implement one.

Harvard University

They have managed to raise sufficient money to continue.

Princeton University

As you recall, Republicans have managed to keep it there.

University of California, Berkeley

But the Harteaus have managed to stay blissfully optimistic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have managed to" to emphasize effort or overcoming obstacles in achieving a result. It adds nuance by suggesting it wasn't easy.

Common error

Avoid using "have managed to" when describing simple, easily achievable tasks. It's more appropriate for situations where effort or difficulty is involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have managed to" functions as an auxiliary verb construction used to indicate the successful completion of an action, often implying effort or overcoming difficulties. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have managed to" is a versatile construction used to express successful accomplishment, frequently in situations involving effort or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While "have succeeded in" and "have been able to" serve as viable alternatives, "have managed to" often subtly emphasizes the challenges overcome in achieving the outcome. Therefore, while generally appropriate, it should be used thoughtfully to avoid overuse in simple contexts. Remember that the inclusion of "to" is essential for correct grammar and meaning. The top authoritative sources using this phrase are The Guardian, The New York Times and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have succeeded in

Formal alternative implying a successful outcome after effort.

have been able to

Indicates capability and possibility of achieving something.

were successful in

Past tense indicating completed success in an endeavor.

accomplished

A concise way of stating that something has been achieved.

achieved

Implies reaching a desired outcome through effort.

attained

Suggests reaching a high level or status.

were capable of

Highlights the ability to do something, often implying a positive result.

have found a way to

Highlights problem-solving and resourcefulness in achieving something.

have been victorious in

Emphasizes winning or overcoming challenges.

have realized

Indicates the fulfillment of a goal or plan.

FAQs

How can I use "have managed to" in a sentence?

Use "have managed to" to describe successfully accomplishing something that was challenging. For example, "They "have managed to" complete the project despite numerous setbacks."

What are some alternatives to "have managed to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have succeeded in", "have been able to", or "accomplished".

Is it always necessary to include "to" after "have managed"?

Yes, the correct form is "have managed to". Omitting "to" changes the meaning and is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "have managed to" and "were able to"?

"Have managed to" often implies more effort or difficulty than "were able to". The former suggests overcoming challenges, while the latter simply indicates capability.