managed to do

USAGE SUMMARY

"managed to do" is a perfectly valid and common English phrase used in both spoken and written English.
Example sentence: She managed to do the project even with limited time and resources.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We managed to do that.

Independent

I managed to do that.

The New York Times - Magazine

I managed to do some.

The New Yorker

This Lebesgue managed to do.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They managed to do both.

The Economist

I managed to do it.

The New York Times

Briefly, Ms Gillard managed to do so.

The Economist

That's what we managed to do.

The New York Times - Sports

He managed to do the opposite.

The Economist

But we managed to do some business.

The New York Times

Which I managed to do.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "managed to do" to express successful completion of an action despite potential difficulties. It indicates effort and overcoming obstacles.

Common error

While "managed to do" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal contexts. Opt for stronger verbs like 'accomplished' or 'achieved' for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "managed to do" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the successful accomplishment of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and acceptable expression in English. Examples show its versatility in describing various achievements across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

15%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "managed to do" is a versatile and commonly used expression in English to indicate the successful completion of an action, often in the face of challenges. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. Analysis of its usage reveals that it's particularly prevalent in News & Media, but also appears in academic and other contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to use stronger verbs in formal writing for greater impact. Related phrases, such as "succeeded in doing" or "accomplished", offer suitable alternatives depending on the specific nuance desired. The consistent and broad application of "managed to do" across authoritative sources underscores its validity and usefulness in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succeeded in doing

Focuses on the successful outcome of an effort or attempt.

accomplished

Emphasizes the completion of a task or goal, often suggesting a significant achievement.

achieved

Similar to 'accomplished' but can also imply gaining something desirable.

carried out

Highlights the execution or performance of a specific action or task.

brought about

Suggests causing something to happen or come into existence.

pulled off

Informal and suggests achieving something difficult or unexpected.

effected

Implies causing a change or result, often in a formal context.

executed

Focuses on the skillful performance or implementation of something.

attained

Suggests reaching a certain level or status through effort.

realized

Focuses on making something actual or bringing it into being.

FAQs

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

Use "managed to do" to indicate the successful completion of something, often despite challenges. For example, "Despite the rain, we "managed to do" all the sightseeing we had planned".

What are some alternatives to "managed to do"?

Alternatives include "succeeded in doing", "accomplished", or "achieved". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "managed to do" or "was able to do"?

"Managed to do" often implies some level of difficulty or effort was involved, while "was able to do" is more neutral. Choose the phrase that best reflects the context.

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

"Managed to do" indicates successful completion, whereas "tried to do" only indicates an attempt, regardless of the result. For example, "I "managed to do" it" means I succeeded; "I tried to do it" means I made an effort but may or may not have succeeded.