“Manage to” implies making an effort to achieve something, often despite difficulties. Here are some synonyms and their analyses:
1. Succeed in
- Meaning: This phrase emphasizes the achievement of a goal. It indicates that the person was successful in carrying out a particular action. For example, “He managed to pass the exam” and “He succeeded in passing the exam” both convey that the person was able to achieve a passing grade.
- Usage: It is a more formal alternative to “manage to” and is often used in written English or in more serious contexts. For instance, in a business report, you might read, “The company succeeded in increasing its market share by 10% this year.”
2. Be able to
- Meaning: “Be able to” focuses on the person's capacity or ability to do something. It doesn't always carry the same connotation of struggle as “manage to.” For example, “She was able to solve the math problem easily” might imply that she had the skills and knowledge to solve it without much difficulty. However, “She managed to solve the math problem” could suggest that she had to put in some effort or overcome an obstacle to solve it.
- Usage: This phrase is very versatile and can be used in a wide range of contexts. It's used in both spoken and written English and is a common way to express someone's capabilities. For example, “I am able to speak three languages.”
3. Contrive to
- Meaning: “Contrive to” means to manage to do something, often through clever planning or by using some kind of artifice. It implies a sense of ingenuity or manipulation. For example, “He contrived to get a front - row seat at the concert” suggests that he used some clever strategy to secure the seat, perhaps by making connections or arriving early through a well - thought - out plan.
- Usage: It's not as commonly used as “manage to” or “be able to” and has a slightly old - fashioned or literary feel. It's more likely to be found in novels or more elaborate descriptions of events.
4. Accomplish
- Meaning: “Accomplish” emphasizes the completion of a task or the achievement of a particular objective. It gives a sense of finality and success. For example, “They managed to build a house in six months” can be rephrased as “They accomplished building a house in six months.”
- Usage: It's a more formal word and is often used in professional or academic contexts. For example, “The research team accomplished a major breakthrough in their field.”