manage to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "manage to do" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a successful attempt at doing something. For example, "Despite the difficult circumstances, she managed to do well on the test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Can we manage to do that?

Independent

"I never manage to do it.

Independent

They may manage to do so quickly.

Independent

You just manage to do it".

The Guardian - Music

Not many philosophers manage to do that".

The Guardian - Books

Not many manage to do that.

The Guardian - Sport

I'll manage to do it all.

Stanford University

But they manage to do that.

Cornell University

How did you manage to do it?

The Guardian - Tech

"It's amazing if they manage to do all this stuff.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

And will he manage to do it with a smile?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "manage to do" to emphasize overcoming obstacles or challenges in achieving a particular action or result. It adds a nuance of effort and accomplishment to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "manage to do" when the action is straightforward and doesn't involve any particular difficulty. Opt for simpler alternatives like "do" or "achieve" to maintain conciseness and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manage to do" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the successful completion of an action, often in the face of difficulty or challenge. It emphasizes the ability to overcome obstacles and achieve a desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "manage to do" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as supported by Ludwig AI. It serves to highlight the successful accomplishment of an action, often against the odds. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register adaptable across various contexts. When writing, remember to reserve its use for situations where effort or overcoming challenges is a key aspect of the action you're describing. To diversify your language, consider employing alternatives such as "succeed in doing" or "accomplish successfully".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succeed in doing

This phrase emphasizes the successful outcome of an effort or attempt.

accomplish successfully

Highlights the achievement with a focus on the successful completion of a task.

achieve the feat of

This phrase emphasizes the difficulty overcome in achieving a specific goal or task.

contrive to

Implies resourcefulness or ingenuity in achieving something, sometimes against the odds.

bring about

Focuses on causing something to happen or achieving a result.

be capable of

Highlights the inherent ability or potential to perform an action.

find a way to

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

be equal to

Highlights the ability to do something efficiently.

be in a position to

Highlights the ability to do something because one is in the right circumstances.

be able to

A general expression of capability or possibility.

FAQs

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

Use "manage to do" to describe successfully accomplishing something, often implying effort or difficulty. For example, "Despite the setbacks, they "managed to do" a good job".

What can I say instead of "manage to do"?

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

Which is correct, "manage to do" or "managed to do"?

"Manage to do" is used in the present tense, while "managed to do" is the past tense form. Choose the form that matches the timeframe of your sentence.

What's the difference between "be able to" and "manage to do"?

"Be able to" indicates a general capability, while "manage to do" suggests successfully completing something, often despite challenges. "He is able to speak French" versus "He "managed to do" a presentation in French, even though he was nervous".