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

(Last Updated: 13 October 2025)

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'?

Real-World Examples of Misuse

1. While not grammatically incorrect, the shift in verb tense between is (present) and was separated (past) can be slightly jarring. If Tommy is currently a barrister and the separation from his wife is still relevant or ongoing, it might be better to align the tenses to reflect the current state consistently.
2. The correct preposition to use with separated in this context is from.
3. The correct construction is succeed in followed by a gerund (verb+ing). Succeeded to admit is grammatically incorrect. Furthermore, admit is a transitive verb that requires an object. Since she is the one being admitted, the passive voice getting admitted is correct. The original phrase admit the university incorrectly suggests that Suki is allowing the university to enter somewhere.
4. Unless a specific university was mentioned previously, the indefinite article a is more appropriate than the definite article the.
5. The adjective charming is the correct form to describe someone's personality or demeanour. The word charm does not fit grammatically in this context where an adjective is needed.
6. The noun girlfriend is a countable noun. In its singular form, it requires a determiner such as a or the. Since no specific girlfriend is being referred to, the indefinite article a is appropriate.
7. The verb surface is metaphorical and means 'to appear after a period of absence or hiding' (e.g. He finally surfaced after working in his office for hours.). It is unsuitable for the context of a birthday party. The common and idiomatic expressions for this situation are show up, appear, or simply come. Additionally, switching to the past tense (did not) is more appropriate if the party has already taken place or is currently ongoing but past the point of his expected arrival.
8. The preposition at is typically used with events, such as parties.
(Source: Seko 思高)
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