managed to enter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "managed to enter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone successfully accomplished the act of entering a place or situation, often after some effort or difficulty. Example: "After several attempts, she finally managed to enter the secure building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They managed to enter through the garage.

The New York Times

We managed to enter Iran.

The Guardian - Opinion

Late on Wednesday afternoon they had managed to enter the first of several hatches.

Independent

Thank God, I managed to enter the walkway tunnel between stations and I was not affected.

The New York Times

He managed to enter the police building, then detonated a suicide vest while scuffling with guards.

The New York Times

Many of those who had managed to enter received only sad news.

The New York Times

But last month, I managed to enter Larung Gar with two colleagues.

The New York Times

Hoyer and press members managed to enter the room — which was empty.

The Washington Post

Witnesses say police broke his car window and assaulted his government bodyguard, but Mr Enkhbayar managed to enter his house.

The Economist

Still, he managed to enter Shanghai's Fudan University where he graduated in computer science and became a lecturer.

The Economist

One drove a vehicle close to the gate, but it was not clear if he managed to enter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "managed to enter", ensure the context clearly indicates any obstacles or difficulties overcome in achieving entry. This adds depth and relevance to the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "managed to enter" when the act of entering is straightforward and requires no particular effort. Choose a simpler verb like "entered" to maintain clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "managed to enter" functions as a verb phrase indicating the successful completion of an action, typically implying some level of effort or difficulty. As Ludwig AI shows, it's often used to describe overcoming obstacles to gain access.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

15%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "managed to enter" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate the successful act of entering, often implying effort or overcoming obstacles. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, with a neutral register. While synonyms like "succeeded in entering" or "gained access" exist, "managed to enter" provides a specific nuance, highlighting the process and potential challenges involved. When writing, consider whether the effort of entry is a key element of the information you want to convey before using the phrase. Do not use the phrase if it is obvious there was no difficulty to enter a location.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succeeded in entering

Focuses on the successful completion of the act of entering.

was able to gain access

Highlights the ability to overcome obstacles to achieve entry.

gained entry

A more concise way of saying that entry was achieved.

effected entrance

A more formal way to state that entry was made.

found a way to get in

Emphasizes the discovery of a method to enter.

contrived to gain access

Highlights the use of ingenuity or scheming to enter.

maneuvered to enter

Emphasizes skillful or strategic movement to achieve entry.

broke through to enter

Highlights overcoming resistance or barriers to gain entry.

forced their way in

Implies the use of force to gain entry.

snuck in

Suggests a clandestine or surreptitious entry.

FAQs

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

Use "managed to enter" to describe a situation where someone successfully gained access to a place or situation, especially after facing some difficulty. For example, "Despite the heavy security, he "managed to enter" the building".

What's a more formal alternative to "managed to enter"?

A more formal alternative is "effected entrance". While "managed to enter" is suitable for most contexts, "effected entrance" may be preferable in formal or legal settings.

What can I say instead of "managed to enter" to emphasize the difficulty?

To emphasize the difficulty, you could use alternatives like "succeeded in entering", "was able to gain access", or "contrived to gain access". Each of these highlights the effort involved in achieving entry.

Is there a difference between "managed to enter" and simply "entered"?

"Entered" is a simple statement of fact, while "managed to enter" implies that there was some difficulty, effort, or planning involved in the action. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the ease or difficulty of the entry.