manage to finish

USAGE SUMMARY

'manage to finish' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone achieved a goal, such as a task or a project, despite difficulties or challenges. Example: She managed to finish the project on time despite the limited resources.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

He did not manage to finish high school.

The New York Times - Books

However, I did manage to finish this article.

The New York Times

I didn't manage to finish the Alkalinizing Cocktail.

The New York Times

Worse, only a small share of them manage to finish.

The New York Times

"For Alex, it has been 12 years to manage to finish this race," Gabart said.

The New York Times - Sports

And despite her dire predictions, we did manage to finish the course.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Together, they managed to finish the injection.

The New York Times

I was dying but I managed to finish it".

Independent

Jasmine, too, had managed to finish a book.

The New Yorker

We managed to finish while the tide inundated the site.

Columbia University

Somehow, he managed to finish safely, and to wild applause.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing when using "manage to finish". It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but more formal alternatives may be appropriate in certain professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "manage to finish" when a simpler verb like 'finish' or 'complete' would suffice. Overusing 'manage' can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. For example, instead of "I managed to finish my lunch", simply say 'I finished my lunch'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manage to finish" functions as a verb phrase indicating the successful completion of an action, often against the odds or with some difficulty. Ludwig confirms this is a standard grammatical construction. The phrase typically modifies a subject, describing their ability to achieve something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "manage to finish" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express successful completion, often in the face of difficulty. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is versatile, suitable for a range of contexts, from news reports to casual conversations, although it is most frequently found in News & Media. When writing, remember that overuse can dilute its impact; consider simpler alternatives like 'finish' or 'complete' when the element of overcoming difficulty is not central to your message. The related phrases provided offer ways to express similar ideas with slight shifts in emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succeed in completing

Replaces "manage" with "succeed", emphasizing the accomplishment. "Complete" replaces "finish", maintaining a formal tone.

conclude successfully

Highlights the successful nature of the conclusion, adding emphasis on a positive outcome.

accomplish successfully

Focuses on the achievement itself rather than the effort. Uses an adverb to highlight the success.

be able to conclude

Focuses on the ability to finalize something, highlighting the successful outcome.

achieve the completion of

More formal and emphasizes the achievement of the finished state.

bring to a close

A more idiomatic way of saying something has been finished. Suggests a sense of finality.

see through to the end

Emphasizes perseverance and commitment until the very end.

contrive to end

Suggests a degree of planning or manipulation to reach the end. Less common than the original phrase.

realize the fulfillment of

Focuses on turning something from a concept to reality, highlighting the sense of accomplishment.

wrap up effectively

More informal, suggesting a neat and satisfactory ending.

FAQs

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

The phrase "manage to finish" is used to indicate that someone has successfully completed something, often despite facing difficulties. For example, "She managed to finish the race despite her injury".

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

You can use alternatives like "succeed in completing", "accomplish successfully", or "bring to a close" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "manage to complete" or "manage to finish"?

"Manage to complete" and "manage to finish" are largely interchangeable. "Complete" tends to be more formal, while "finish" is more common in everyday language. Choose the one that best fits the tone of your writing.

What's the difference between "manage to finish" and simply "finish"?

Adding "manage to" emphasizes that completing the task required effort or overcoming obstacles. Using only "finish" is a more neutral statement about the completion of a task.