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happen

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈhæpən/

Forms: happens, happening, happened

happen means: If something takes place, an event occurs or a situation changes.

verb

TAKE PLACEA1

If something takes place, an event occurs or a situation changes.

  • What happened yesterday?
  • Accidents can happen anywhere.
  • Nothing unusual happened at school today.

How to use it: happen to someone/something (What happened to your bike?)

Similar words: occur, take place

Common phrases: happen again, happen at school, happen to someone, happen here

BY CHANCEB1

To do something or be in a situation by chance, without planning it.

  • Do you happen to know her?
  • I happened to find an empty seat.
  • If you happen to pass the shop, buy some milk.

How to use it: happen to + verb (I happened to see your brother yesterday.); it happens that… (It happened that we were on the same train.)

Similar words: chance

Common phrases: happen to know, happen to meet, happen to be

Questions about happen

What does happen mean?

If something takes place, an event occurs or a situation changes.

What is happen in other languages?

Türkçe: olmak · Español: ocurrir · Français: arriver · Deutsch: passieren · Italiano: succedere · 日本語: 起こる

How do you pronounce happen?

It is pronounced /ˈhæpən/.

How do you use happen in a sentence?

What happened yesterday? Accidents can happen anywhere.

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Phrases with happen

happen in other languages

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