managing to survive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "managing to survive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of successfully navigating difficult circumstances or challenges in order to continue living or functioning. Example: "Despite the harsh conditions, the team was managing to survive in the wilderness for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Progress is measured in small steps — a few more months of survival, more patients managing to survive two years.

The New York Times - Health

He was forced into exile and lived in many countries, barely managing to survive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Now that the family's breadwinner has gone, she is only just managing to survive.

The Economist

Shadow culture secretary Chris Bryant says S4C "has done a remarkable job managing to survive" but faces a tough future.

The Guardian

The library system, Chepesiuk observed, was managing to survive when educationalists were being pushed out by paramilitaries.

The Guardian - Books

But they did not allow an unearned run, managing to survive even a three-error 13th inning.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"We managed to survive.

The Guardian - Film

"That's how he managed to survive".

The New York Times

He managed to survive for many years.

The Guardian

Somehow, they have always managed to survive.

The New York Times

That time he managed to survive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "managing to survive", ensure the context clearly indicates the challenges or difficulties being overcome. This adds depth and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "managing to survive" in situations where the challenge is trivial or non-existent. This can diminish the phrase's impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "managing to survive" typically functions as a verbal phrase. It describes an action or process where someone or something is actively succeeding in continuing to exist despite facing challenges or difficulties. Ludwig's examples show a wide range of contexts where this phrase is used to describe overcoming adversity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "managing to survive" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of overcoming challenges to continue existing. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the difficulties being faced. Alternatives like "succeeding in staying alive" or "eking out an existence" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Be aware of potentially overstating the difficulty when employing the phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

succeeding in staying alive

Focuses on the success aspect of survival.

barely clinging to life

Emphasizes the precariousness of the survival.

eking out an existence

Highlights the effort and scarcity involved in surviving.

getting by against the odds

Stresses the difficulty and improbability of survival.

navigating challenging circumstances

Shifts the focus to the process of dealing with hardships.

weathering difficult times

Uses a metaphorical image of enduring a storm.

scraping through

Suggests a narrow escape or minimal success.

keeping afloat

Implies avoiding failure or ruin.

making ends meet

Focuses on financial survival.

remaining viable

Highlights the ability to continue functioning or operating.

FAQs

How can I use "managing to survive" in a sentence?

You can use "managing to survive" to describe a situation where someone or something is facing difficulties but is still able to continue functioning or living. For example: "Despite the economic downturn, the company was "managing to survive"".

What are some alternatives to "managing to survive"?

Some alternatives to "managing to survive" include "succeeding in staying alive", "barely clinging to life", or "eking out an existence" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "managing to survive" rather than "surviving"?

"Managing to survive" implies a level of effort or difficulty that simply "surviving" might not capture. Use "managing to survive" when you want to emphasize the active effort required to overcome challenges.

Is there a difference between "managing to survive" and "managing to thrive"?

Yes, "managing to survive" indicates that someone is just barely able to continue living or functioning, whereas "managing to thrive" suggests that someone is not only surviving but also flourishing and doing well.