he managed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"he managed to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone accomplished something, usually with effort. For example: He managed to finish the marathon in under two hours, despite a painful injury.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Where?" he managed to ask.

The New Yorker

Only once had he managed to win.

The New York Times - Sports

There he managed to resist Spartan attacks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fortunately he managed to keep the finger.

The New York Times

Tells how he managed to regain himself.

The New Yorker

He managed to expand his audience steadily.

The New York Times

He managed to save the day.

The New York Times - Arts

He managed to do the opposite.

The Economist

But he managed to escape.

The New York Times

Somehow, he managed to succeed".

The New Yorker

He managed to avoid both.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he managed to" to show that someone successfully completed something, often despite challenges or difficulties. This subtly highlights their effort and capability.

Common error

Avoid using "he managed to" when describing actions that are easily achievable or expected. Opt for simpler verbs like "he did", "he completed", or "he finished" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he managed to" functions as a verbal phrase indicating successful achievement, often in the face of difficulty. It's used to convey that a subject was able to accomplish something, sometimes unexpectedly or with considerable effort. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he managed to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express successful accomplishment, often despite challenges. As Ludwig AI explains, it's perfectly acceptable for use in written English. With a "Very common" frequency, the phrase is prevalent across various contexts, most notably in news and media. While versatile, remember to use it thoughtfully, reserving it for scenarios where effort or difficulty is implied. Opt for alternatives like "he succeeded in" or "he was able to" to maintain variety in your writing. By understanding its nuances and appropriate usage, you can effectively convey your intended meaning and enhance the clarity of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he succeeded in

This alternative focuses on the successful outcome of an effort.

he was able to

This alternative indicates the capacity or ability to do something.

he accomplished

This alternative emphasizes the achievement of a goal.

he attained

This alternative suggests a gradual achievement or reaching a certain level.

he achieved

This alternative highlights the successful completion of something, often after overcoming obstacles.

he pulled off

This alternative is more informal and suggests accomplishing something difficult or unexpected.

he was successful in

This alternative emphasizes the positive result of an action or endeavor.

he found a way to

This alternative suggests resourcefulness and determination in achieving something.

he contrived to

This alternative implies skillful and clever planning or manipulation to achieve something, sometimes with a negative connotation.

he negotiated to

This alternative specifically indicates reaching something through negotiations.

FAQs

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

Use "he managed to" followed by a verb to describe a successful action, especially when it involved effort or overcoming obstacles. For example, "He managed to finish the project on time despite the setbacks."

What can I say instead of "he managed to"?

You can use alternatives like "he succeeded in", "he was able to", or "he accomplished" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "he managed to did"?

No, the correct form is "he managed to do". The phrase "managed to" is followed by the base form of the verb, not the past tense.

What's the difference between "he managed to" and "he tried to"?

"He managed to" indicates successful completion of an action, while "he tried to" only implies an attempt, regardless of the outcome. For example, "He managed to fix the car" means he successfully repaired it, while "He tried to fix the car" means he attempted to repair it, but may or may not have succeeded.