managed to pass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "managed to pass" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone successfully achieving a particular outcome; for example: She managed to pass her college entrance exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Unfortunately, they haven't managed to pass many important bills.

The New York Times

"Just the fact that I managed to pass the test is a miracle," she says.

The New York Times

Even the modest reforms he has managed to pass are being challenged in court.

The New York Times

This small thing seemed to transform Charles - he gained needed confidence and managed to pass.

The New Yorker

He managed to pass his rabbinical examinations and was ordained in Berlin before fleeing the country.

The New York Times

The House actually managed to pass the Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act last fall.

The New York Times

Indeed, Katyal added, the travel ban undermined immigration laws that Congress had managed to pass.

The New Yorker

But the idea was shelved when the Senate managed to pass its version of the bill in June.

The New York Times

Author tells how he managed to pass with an A in Military Training at college, without doing much strenuous training.

The New Yorker

Messner's building looked great, but many other projects managed to pass the review process only after extensive alterations and downsizing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Their mothers had made these dishes before the Revolution and had managed to pass on the recipes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "managed to pass" to convey a sense of effort or overcoming difficulty. It's appropriate when the passing was not guaranteed or required significant effort.

Common error

Avoid using "managed to pass" when the success was highly probable or easily achieved. Using a simpler term like "passed" is more appropriate in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "managed to pass" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the successful completion of an action, test, or requirement. It implies that the success was not guaranteed and required effort or skill. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

12%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "managed to pass" is a versatile phrase indicating successful completion, often implying effort or difficulty. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and common across varied contexts, particularly in News & Media. To ensure clarity and impact, remember to reserve "managed to pass" for situations where success wasn't assured. Overusing it in straightforward situations could dilute its effect. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively use "managed to pass" to convey the right message in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succeeded in passing

Emphasizes the successful outcome of passing, highlighting the accomplishment itself.

was able to pass

Focuses on the ability to pass, suggesting capability and potential.

achieved passing

Highlights the attainment of a passing result, stressing the achievement.

cleared successfully

Suggests overcoming an obstacle or requirement to pass.

navigated to a pass

Implies skillful maneuvering or strategy to achieve a passing result.

attained a passing grade

Specifically refers to achieving a passing grade in an academic or evaluative context.

accomplished passing

Stresses the completion and accomplishment of the act of passing.

scraped through

Indicates a narrow escape or barely sufficient achievement in passing.

overcame obstacles to pass

Highlights the difficulties faced and overcome in order to pass.

conquered the passing hurdle

Presents passing as a challenge that was successfully overcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "managed to pass" to indicate someone successfully achieved a goal, test, or requirement, often implying effort or difficulty. For example, "Despite the challenging curriculum, she "managed to pass" her exams."

What are some alternatives to "managed to pass"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "managed to pass" include "succeeded in passing", "was able to pass", or "achieved passing".

Is it more appropriate to say "managed to pass" or simply "passed"?

"Managed to pass" suggests effort or difficulty in achieving the passing result, whereas "passed" is a more neutral statement of fact. Use "managed to pass" when you want to emphasize the effort involved.

What is the difference between "managed to pass" and "scraped through"?

"Managed to pass" indicates success, possibly with some difficulty, while "scraped through" implies barely succeeding or narrowly avoiding failure. The latter conveys a sense of minimal achievement.