Phrasal verbs "happen to" vs "occur to"

Differences between happen to and occur to

Happen to is used to describe something that occurs by chance or unexpectedly, while occur to is used to describe a sudden realization or idea that comes to mind.

Meanings and Definitions: happen to vs occur to

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Happen to

• 1. To occur or take place.

  If anything happens to me (=if I die), you’ll have plenty of money to live on.

• 2. To occur or take place unexpectedly.

  This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

• 3. To occur or take place.

  Whatever happened to your friend George?

Occur to

• 1. Enter one's mind.

  Didn't it OCCUR TO you to help me when you saw how much trouble I was in?

Usage Examples: happen to, occur to in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

happen to

Example

What will happen to us if we don't find a solution?

Example

If something happens to him, I don't know what I'll do.

occur to

Example

It never occurred to me that she might be unhappy.

Example

It occurs to him that he should call his parents.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Happen to

take place

To occur or happen at a specific time or location.

Example

The meeting will take place at the conference room on Monday.

come about

To happen or occur as a result of certain circumstances or events.

Example

The company's success came about due to their innovative marketing strategies.

chance upon

To discover or encounter something by accident or luck.

Example

While hiking, we chanced upon a beautiful waterfall hidden in the forest.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Occur to

dawn on

To suddenly realize or understand something.

Example

It dawned on her that she had left her phone at home after arriving at work.

strike

To suddenly come to mind or be remembered.

Example

It struck him that he had forgotten his friend's birthday and needed to buy a gift.

hit upon

To suddenly think of or discover a new idea or solution.

Example

She hit upon a brilliant idea for her next project while taking a shower.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “to”

• take to
• give it to
• yield to
• stretch to
• owe to

Differences in happen to vs occur to: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: happen to or occur to?

Both happen to and occur to are commonly used in everyday conversation. However, happen to is used more frequently than occur to.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of happen to and occur to

Both happen to and occur to are informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, in more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of happen to and occur to

Happen to often carries a neutral or positive tone when describing unexpected events, while occur to typically has a thoughtful or reflective tone when describing sudden realizations or ideas.

happen to & occur to: Synonyms and Antonyms

Happen to

Synonyms

• occur
• transpire
• arise
• develop
• emerge
• take place
• come about
• ensue

Antonyms

• cease
• halt
• stop
• prevent
• avoid
• avert

Occur to

Synonyms

• realize
• consider
• come to mind
• cross one's mind
• dawn on
• strike
• think of

Antonyms

• disregard
• ignore
• overlook
• miss
• forget
• neglect