Succeed in Doing Sth: Meaning, Examples & How to Use It Correctly

What Does “Succeed in doing sth” Mean?

“Succeed in doing sth” means to achieve a goal or complete a task successfully. It shows that someone has managed to do something they tried to do.

Introduction

The phrase “succeed in doing sth” is commonly used in English to express success in completing an action or reaching a goal. Understanding the succeed in doing sth meaning helps learners communicate achievements clearly. This phrasal verb is often followed by a verb ending in -ing, which describes the specific action someone has accomplished. Whether you want to talk about passing an exam, finishing a project, or winning a competition, this phrase is useful in many situations. It is important to know how to use it correctly to sound natural and confident in English.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: succeed in doing something
• Type: Inseparable
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: To achieve or complete something successfully

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Succeed in doing sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot separate “succeed” and “in” with other words.

Here is the common structure:

• Subject + succeed + in + verb-ing (gerund)

Examples:

• She succeeded in passing the exam.
• They succeeded in finding a solution.

How to Use Succeed in doing sth?

Use “succeed in doing sth” when you want to say that someone has managed to do something difficult or important. The verb after “in” must be in the -ing form (gerund). This phrase often appears in formal and informal contexts to highlight achievement.

It can be used with different subjects and actions, such as:

• People succeeding in learning new skills
• Teams succeeding in completing projects
• Individuals succeeding in winning awards

Examples

Here are some examples to show how to use “succeed in doing sth” in a sentence:

• After many attempts, he finally succeeded in solving the difficult puzzle.
• Our company succeeded in launching the new product on time.
• She succeeded in convincing her parents to let her study abroad.
• They succeeded in raising enough money for the charity event.
• We succeeded in finishing the marathon despite the tough weather.

Common Mistakes

It’s common for learners to make mistakes with this phrase. For example, some may forget to use the gerund form or separate the phrasal verb incorrectly.

• Incorrect: She succeeded to finish the report.
• Correct: She succeeded in finishing the report.
• Incorrect: They succeeded finishing the task.
• Correct: They succeeded in finishing the task.

Remember, always use “in” followed by a verb ending in -ing.

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrases include “manage to do sth” and “achieve sth.” However, “succeed in doing sth” emphasizes the successful completion of an action after effort.

• Manage to do sth: Focuses on overcoming difficulties.
• Achieve sth: More general, refers to reaching a goal.
• Succeed in doing sth: Specifically highlights success in performing an action.

Common Collocations

People often use “succeed in doing sth” with common actions that involve goals or challenges. Here are some collocations:

• succeed in passing (an exam) – to pass an exam successfully
• succeed in completing (a project) – to finish a project successfully
• succeed in convincing (someone) – to persuade someone effectively
• succeed in winning (a prize) – to win a prize or award
• succeed in solving (a problem) – to find a solution

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a natural conversation using “succeed in doing sth”:

Anna: Did you succeed in fixing your car?

Ben: Yes, I succeeded in changing the battery myself.

Anna: That’s great! It must have been hard.

Ben: It was, but I’m glad I succeeded in doing it without help.

Practice

Try this exercise to test your understanding of “succeed in doing sth”:

Choose the correct sentence:

• a) She succeeded to finish the project on time.
• b) She succeeded in finishing the project on time.
• c) She succeeded finishing the project on time.

Answer: b) She succeeded in finishing the project on time.

FAQ

• Q: Can I use “succeed” without “in”?
  A: No, when followed by an action, “succeed” requires “in” plus a gerund.
• Q: Is “succeed in doing sth” formal or informal?
  A: It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
• Q: Can I use “succeed in” with a noun?
  A: Usually, it is followed by a verb in -ing form, not a noun alone.
• Q: What is the difference between “succeed in doing sth” and “manage to do sth”?
  A: “Succeed in doing sth” emphasizes success, while “manage to do sth” focuses on overcoming difficulty.
• Q: Can “succeed in doing sth” be used in the past tense?
  A: Yes, e.g., “She succeeded in passing the test.”