managed to find

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "managed to find" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you were able to locate something that was previously not known or lost. For example: "I managed to find my car keys after a long search."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I managed to find a food bank.

The Guardian

Somehow, diners managed to find their way.

The New York Times

Many have managed to find homes outside.

The New York Times

We managed to find a replacement.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They all managed to find enough food to support themselves.

The New York Times

But Bonaveri has managed to find its market.

The New York Times

But Aragon had managed to find a tolerably realistic image.

Independent

Her team managed to find a rare white-crowned sparrow.

The New York Times

We managed to find moments to laugh together.

The New York Times

What I managed to find, who I managed to meet.

The New York Times

After being abandoned, she managed to find a police station.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "managed to find" to convey a sense of effort or overcoming difficulty in locating something. It implies that the finding was not straightforward or easy.

Common error

Avoid using "managed to find" when something was found without any difficulty. Alternatives like "found" or "discovered" are more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "managed to find" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the successful completion of an action, usually involving effort or overcoming some obstacle. Ludwig highlights its use in various contexts to express the achievement of locating or discovering something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "managed to find" is a versatile phrase used to indicate the successful location or discovery of something, often after some effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and science. While alternatives exist, "managed to find" effectively conveys the sense of accomplishment after overcoming a challenge. Remember to reserve this expression for situations where the finding wasn't straightforward; otherwise, simpler terms like "found" or "discovered" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to locate

Focuses on the successful act of locating, emphasizing skill or effort.

succeeded in locating

Highlights the successful outcome of a search or effort to locate something.

were successful in finding

Stresses the element of success in the act of discovering something.

were able to detect

Emphasizes the capability to discover, often used in technical contexts.

found a way to obtain

Emphasizes the process of acquiring something, suggesting resourcefulness.

figured out how to discover

Focuses on the act of figuring out and discovering something.

were ingenious enough to find

Stresses the cleverness involved in discovering something.

contrived to reveal

Indicates a planned or skillful action to discover something.

came across

Emphasizes an unplanned or unexpected discovery.

happened upon

Highlights the element of chance or luck in finding something.

FAQs

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

You can use "managed to find" to describe successfully locating something after some effort, for example: "After searching for hours, I "managed to find" my lost keys".

What are some alternatives to "managed to find"?

Alternatives include "succeeded in locating", "were able to detect", or "came across", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "managed to find" formal or informal?

"Managed to find" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing.

What does "managed to find" imply about the difficulty of finding something?

"Managed to find" suggests that finding something required effort, skill, or luck. It implies that it wasn't easy or straightforward.