Distinguishing Happen from Occur

Happen vs Occur

Though Happen and Occur are two words that are often confused and thought to be synonyms, there is a difference between happen and occur in their meanings when used in different contexts. The word happen is a verb. However, in Northern English the word happen is used as an adverb to mean ‘perhaps; may be.’ On the other hand, the word occur is used only as an adverb. Then, the word happen has its origins in Late Middle English. The word occur is said to have its origins in late 15th century. As it happens is a phrase in English language that uses the word happen.

What does Happen mean?

The word happen is used to convey the sense of ‘take place’ as in the sentences:
It happened yesterday.
What is happening here?
In both the sentences given above, the word happen conveys the sense of ‘take place’ and hence the meanings of the sentences would be ‘it took place yesterday’ and ‘what is taking place there?’
On the other hand, the word happen is often followed by the preposition ‘in’ and also ‘at’ as in the sentences given below.
It happened at 9 p.m.
It happened in the town.
If you observe the sentences, in the first sentence, the word happen is followed by preposition ‘at’ as we are speaking about the time an event took place. In the second sentence, the word happen is followed by preposition ‘in’ as we are speaking about the place an event took place.

What does Occur mean?

The word occur is used in the sense of ‘come into being as an event or a process’. Observe the sentences given below.
The earthquake occurred in the morning.
A chain reaction occurs during the experiment.
In both the sentences mentioned above, the word occur is used in the sense of ‘come into being as a process or as an event.’ In the first sentence, the word occur gives the meaning of ‘come into being as an event’ whereas in the second sentence, the word ‘occur’ gives the meaning of ‘come into being as a process’.
It is interesting to note that the verb occur is often followed by the prepositions ‘at’ and ‘in’ as in the sentences given below.
The eclipse occurred at 8.30 am.
The event occurred in the city of New York.
In the first sentence, you can see that the word occur is followed by the preposition ‘at’ and in the second sentence, you would find that the word occur is followed by the preposition ‘in’. In the first sentence, the word is followed by preposition ‘at’ as we are speaking about the time an event took place. In the second sentence, the word occur is followed by preposition ‘in’ as we are speaking about the place an event took place.

Key Takeaways

• The word happen is used to convey the sense of ‘take place.’
• The word occur is used in the sense of ‘come into being as an event or a process.’ This is the main difference between occur and happen.
• Both verbs happen and occur can be followed by the prepositions ‘at’ and ‘in.’