manages to

USAGE SUMMARY

"manages to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that someone succeeds in achieving something, despite difficulty. For example, "The student manages to pass the exam, even though he was struggling with the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Finally, she manages to speak.

The New York Times

Spacey manages to be both.

The New York Times - Magazine

De Man manages to put them off.

The New Yorker

"Milton" manages to draw a crowd.

The New York Times

Yet the book manages to be spellbinding.

The New York Times - Books

Yet Baker manages to make it work.

The New York Times - Books

"Excuse me," she manages to gasp.

The New Yorker

He manages to get away with everything.

Independent

The current somehow manages to flow anyway.

The New York Times

He even manages to make pensions dramatic!

The Economist

Maqsood manages to land a heavy blow.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "manages to" when you want to emphasize that an action was accomplished despite some difficulty or challenge. For example, "She manages to complete the project despite the tight deadline".

Common error

Avoid using "manages to" when the action is straightforward and doesn't imply any struggle. For example, instead of "He manages to open the door", simply say "He opens the door".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manages to" functions as an auxiliary verb construction that indicates successful completion of an action, often against the odds or despite some level of difficulty. It highlights not just the action itself, but the effort or circumstance surrounding it. Ludwig AI affirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "manages to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate success in achieving something, often in the face of difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is prevalent in news and media, academia, and encyclopedic sources, highlighting its neutral register and widespread application. While the phrase is grammatically sound, avoid overusing it in simple scenarios where the accomplishment is straightforward. Instead, opt for more direct language to maintain clarity and conciseness. Related phrases such as "succeeds in" or "is able to" can offer subtle variations in meaning to suit your specific needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succeeds in

This alternative focuses on the successful outcome, similar to "manages to".

is able to

This alternative is a more general expression of capability.

achieves

This alternative emphasizes accomplishment.

accomplishes

This alternative highlights the successful completion of a task.

contrives to

This alternative suggests a degree of ingenuity or manipulation to achieve something.

finds a way to

This alternative highlights the process of discovering a method for success.

overcomes

This alternative emphasizes the surmounting of obstacles.

copes with

This alternative focuses on dealing effectively with a difficult situation.

navigates

This alternative implies skillful maneuvering through challenges.

pulls off

This alternative is an informal way of saying someone succeeds at something difficult.

FAQs

How can I use "manages to" in a sentence?

Use "manages to" to show that someone succeeds in doing something, often despite difficulty. For instance, "She manages to finish the race despite her injury".

What are some alternatives to "manages to"?

You can use alternatives such as "succeeds in", "is able to", or "achieves" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "manages to" and "tries to"?

"Manages to" indicates success, while "tries to" only indicates an attempt. For example, "He manages to fix the car" means he successfully fixed it, whereas "He tries to fix the car" means he attempted it, but may or may not have succeeded.

When is it inappropriate to use "manages to"?

It's best to avoid "manages to" when the action is simple and straightforward, with no implication of difficulty. Using it in such cases can sound unnatural or unnecessarily complex. For example, it's better to say "He opens the door" instead of "He manages to open the door".