'Succeed to Do' or 'Succeed in Doing'? Which One Is Correct? | Mastering Grammar

Succeed to Do or Succeed in Doing: Which One Is Correct?

The verb succeed is commonly used to mean 'to manage to do something'. In this meaning, the verb is intransitive (i.e. it is not followed by a direct object), and when it is followed by another verb, we use the pattern succeed in doing something, not succeed to do something:

✅ With enough perseverance, you will succeed in reaching your target.
❌ With enough perseverance, you will succeed to reach your target.

✅ After years of hard work, the fencer succeeded in winning an Olympic medal.
❌ After years of hard work, the fencer succeeded to win an Olympic medal.

✅ Despite initial setbacks, she succeeded in starting her own business.
❌ Despite initial setbacks, she succeeded to start her own business.

✅ The company succeeded in reducing its carbon footprint by implementing green technologies.
❌ The company succeeded to reduce its carbon footprint by implementing green technologies.

✅ The author succeeded in capturing the essence of the city in her novel.
❌ The author succeeded to capture the essence of the city in her novel.

The entry for the verb succeed (sense 1) in the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

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Examples from the Media

It's a tight, expertly assembled collection of mostly up-tempo songs that succeed in being both retro and contemporary. —Toronto Star (2007)

She predicted the Tories would succeed in making it 'eighth time unlucky' for the Reform leader, whose seven previous parliamentary bids failed. —Daily Mail (2024)

Countries that succeed in tackling their infection rates, such as Australia, have many different challenges but one common enemy – the coronavirus. —The Sydney Morning Herald (2020)

Sheikh Hasina, the longest-serving prime minister in Bangladesh's history, resigned and fled the country on Monday, bringing a tumultuous end to her 15-year rule as an extraordinary wave of protest succeeded in toppling her government. —The Washington Post (2024)

Recommended Further Reading

'Succeed', 'Success', 'Successful', or 'Successfully'?
'Success Story' or 'Successful Story'?