manage to

USAGE SUMMARY

"manage to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you succeeded in doing something. Example: I managed to finish my assignment on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yemenis manage to struggle along.

The Economist

I manage to recover some.

The Economist

"Children manage to get on.

The New Yorker

manage to keep functioning?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Can we manage to do that?

Independent

She never did manage to write it.

The New Yorker

"I never manage to do it.

Independent

The kids manage to complete their masterwork.

The New Yorker

They may manage to do so quickly.

Independent

They always manage to get themselves deferred".

The New York Times

"How did I manage to save myself?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "manage to" with strong verbs to create impactful sentences. For example, "I managed to persuade him" is more compelling than "I persuaded him".

Common error

Avoid using "manage to" when describing very simple or routine actions. For everyday tasks where effort isn't a factor, use a simpler verb. Saying "I managed to brush my teeth" sounds odd; "I brushed my teeth" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manage to" functions as a verb phrase indicating successful accomplishment of an action, often implying effort or overcoming difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase, illustrated by numerous examples where individuals or entities achieve a specific outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "manage to" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It effectively conveys the successful completion of an action, often highlighting the effort or difficulty overcome. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to formal business and scientific writing. To enhance your writing, remember to use "manage to" when you want to emphasize the process of achieving something, and avoid using it for routine actions. Alternatives like "succeed in" or "achieve" can provide subtle differences in meaning and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succeed in

Focuses more on the accomplishment of a goal, less on the effort involved.

achieve

Implies reaching a desired outcome, often through planning or skill.

accomplish

Suggests completing something significant or difficult.

contrive to

Highlights ingenuity or resourcefulness in achieving something.

bring about

Emphasizes causing something to happen, often through indirect means.

pull off

Indicates accomplishing something difficult or unexpected.

find a way to

Stresses the process of discovering or creating a method to achieve something.

be able to

Indicates the capacity or ability to do something.

handle

Implies dealing with a situation or task effectively.

cope with

Suggests successfully dealing with a challenging or stressful situation.

FAQs

How can I use "manage to" in a sentence?

Use "manage to" to describe successfully accomplishing something, especially when it involves effort or overcoming obstacles. For example, "Despite the difficulties, I "managed to" finish the project on time".

What can I say instead of "manage to"?

You can use alternatives like "succeed in", "achieve", or "accomplish" depending on the context.

Is "managed to" past tense?

Yes, "managed to" is the past tense form of "manage to", indicating that something was successfully accomplished in the past.

What's the difference between "manage to" and "try to"?

"Manage to" indicates successful completion, while "try to" indicates an attempt, regardless of the outcome. "I "tried to" finish the project" means I made an effort, but not necessarily successfully.