choosing between managed and were able to

English translation: B) and C) are correct, "were able to" sounds more natural.

18:04 Dec 12, 2020
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / In a grammar test
English term or phrase: choosing between managed and were able to
This sentence comes from a grammar test on modal verbs and their alternatives:

"14. Jane and John saved and saved, and finally they _____ buy the house of their dreams."
Options to choose from:
A) can B) could C) managed to D) couldn’t

I guess the right choice would be C) managed, but could I also say 'finally they were able to buy..."

Would it be a better option in the above sentence?

Thank you in advance.
Sterk
Ukraine
Local time: 20:28
Selected answer:B) and C) are correct, "were able to" sounds more natural.
Explanation:
B) and C) are correct, "were able to" sounds more natural.
Selected response from:

Kiet Bach
United States
Local time: 11:28
Grading comment
Thank you all very much! Your feedbacks and discussion have been most interesting. So it seems that only one choice d) has got no vote
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +3managed to
Mark Robertson
4 +3B) and C) are correct, "were able to" sounds more natural.
Kiet Bach
5managed to
cristiano glave
4Both are correct, but I actually prefer ... they were able to buy ...
Bokani Hart


Discussion entries: 9





  

Answers


5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
managed to


Explanation:
The formality levels of your two options differ. Managed to matches the low level of formality of the text.

Mark Robertson
Local time: 18:28
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Yvonne Gallagher: most appropriate here but not for your reason
1 hr

agree  Tony M: I agree with Yvonne's comment — there's nothing of less or more "formality" about this situation
3 hrs

agree  Oliver Simões
5 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Both are correct, but I actually prefer ... they were able to buy ...


Explanation:
I think it is a lot more elegant than managed to

Bokani Hart
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:28
Works in field
Native speaker of: English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: Except that the EN syntax doesn't really support this: it would be more natural to write '...and they were finally able to...'
3 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

37 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
B) and C) are correct, "were able to" sounds more natural.


Explanation:
B) and C) are correct, "were able to" sounds more natural.

Kiet Bach
United States
Local time: 11:28
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thank you all very much! Your feedbacks and discussion have been most interesting. So it seems that only one choice d) has got no vote

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Charlotte Fleming
40 mins
  -> Thank you!

neutral  Yvonne Gallagher: nope, not in the context it isn't
1 hr
  -> Thank you!

neutral  Sheila Wilson: I agree about B and C, but C is the most accurate in context
1 hr
  -> Thank you!

agree  philgoddard
21 hrs
  -> Thank you!

agree  Cilian O'Tuama: a) is not incorrect, though b) or c) perhaps more likely
6 days
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

47 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
managed to


Explanation:
The test is asking the most correct one, and this is C.

cristiano glave
Local time: 19:28
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Tony M: Answer already given.
3 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.


See also:
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search