manage to come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "manage to come" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the ability to arrive at a place or event despite difficulties or obstacles. Example: "Despite the heavy traffic, I managed to come to the meeting on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I can manage to come back here," Ethan said.

The Washington Post

"Today, nobody is betting that Spain will not manage to come out of this".

The New York Times

How do you manage to come away with images that aren't soft-core porn?

The New York Times

When people manage to come to Europe, some may be able to improve their situation.

The Guardian

But for all of their immature hedonism, they manage to come off as not entirely selfish.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I will tell you all about it if I manage to come back alive.

The Guardian

Despite the bits of leaden language, Lacy does manage to come to life on the page.

The New York Times - Books

And if anything gets through, if anything does manage to come all the way down, that's it for us".

The New Yorker

The Cowboy State may be the nation's least populous, but the two groups still manage to come into conflict.

The New York Times

According to the Gatestone institute, most who manage to come to the EU are young men aged 16-20 years. 16-20 years

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet such leaders are rarely more creative, even when they manage to come across as innovative to others.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "manage to come", consider the level of formality required by the context. It works well in both neutral and informal settings, but more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "succeed in arriving."

Common error

While "manage to come" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "contrive to arrive" or "succeed in reaching" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manage to come" functions as an infinitive phrase indicating the ability to arrive or attend despite potential difficulties or obstacles. This is supported by Ludwig's confirmation of its correctness and the numerous examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "manage to come" is a versatile and commonly used infinitive phrase that expresses the ability to arrive or attend, often in the face of challenges. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally acceptable in a variety of settings, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives. Remember to consider your audience and the desired tone when choosing between "manage to come" and its synonyms. As shown by Ludwig's examples, its flexible usage makes it a valuable addition to your vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrive successfully

Highlights the positive outcome of arriving, focusing on a safe or timely arrival.

succeed in arriving

Emphasizes the successful completion of the act of arriving, focusing on overcoming obstacles.

succeed in reaching

Similar to "succeed in arriving", but can be used more broadly for achieving any destination, not just physical locations.

make it to

A more informal way of expressing arrival, often suggesting a degree of difficulty or effort.

get to

A simpler and more direct way to indicate arrival at a destination.

contrive to arrive

Highlights the element of planning or effort involved in arriving.

find your way to

Suggests navigating or discovering a route to reach a destination.

be present at

Highlights attendance or presence, but less focused on the journey itself.

be able to attend

Specifically focuses on the ability to be present at an event or gathering.

reach a destination

Emphasizes the completion of a journey and the arrival at a specific place.

FAQs

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

"Manage to come" indicates the ability to arrive despite potential difficulties. For example, "Despite the heavy traffic, I managed to come to the meeting on time."

What are some alternatives to "manage to come"?

You can use alternatives such as "succeed in arriving", "make it to", or "get to" depending on the context.

Is "manage to come" formal or informal?

"Manage to come" is generally considered neutral to informal. More formal alternatives include "succeed in arriving" or "contrive to arrive".

What's the difference between "manage to come" and "arrange to come"?

"Manage to come" implies overcoming a challenge to arrive, while "arrange to come" indicates making plans or preparations to arrive. The first emphasizes ability, the second, planning.