Happen vs. Occur

Happen vs. Occur Happen vs. Occur Happen vs. Occur By Maeve Maddox Anyone who watches U.S. television has seen the pharmaceutical ads that feature deliriously happy healthy-looking people frolicking with pets and loved ones as a Voice Over enumerates the serious side effects that can â€Å"happen† if they ingest the product being advertised. My initial reaction to these ads was that more precise synonyms for happen had gone the way of pallor, a once common word that’s been replaced by paleness. After all, advertisers must simplify language for the masses. Now, however, I believe that the repeated use of happen in ads for medications is a deliberate choice meant to distance the products advertised from the grim possibilities listed in the warnings. Consider the different connotations of the following statements: Severe bleeding or death may happen. Severe bleeding or death may occur. Severe bleeding or death may result. There’s not a lot of difference between happen and occur, butthanks to the expression â€Å"Stuff happens,† happen is closely associated with blind chance. Things that â€Å"happen† can’t really be anticipated or guarded against. Occur is a bit more definite, even in pharmaspeak, as in this warning on a bottle of niacin: â€Å"Discontinue use and consult your doctor if any adverse reactions occur.† Result is altogether too definite a word as it means â€Å"to arise as a consequence, effect, or outcome of some action, process, or design.† For variety in your own writing, here are a few other ways to convey the idea of â€Å"happening†: take place come about follow appear develop arise ensue crop up transpire materialize present itself come to pass eventuate turn out befall Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:30 Synonyms for â€Å"Meeting†How to spell "in lieu of"List of 50 Compliments and Nice Things to Say!