can happen

USAGE SUMMARY

'can happen' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the possibility that something may or may not happen in the future. For example, "It's hard to predict the future, but anything can happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But anything can happen.

The New York Times

"Earthquakes can happen anytime".

The New York Times

All that can happen".

The New York Times - Sports

"It can happen again".

The New York Times

"So anything can happen".

Independent

Something bad can happen.

The New York Times - Sports

"Anything — anything — can happen".

The New York Times - Sports

"It can happen anywhere.

The New York Times

"Anything bad can happen.

The New York Times

Bad things can happen.

The New York Times

Regression can happen quickly.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can happen" to express a general possibility, without specifying the likelihood or conditions. For emphasis, consider variations like "anything can happen" or "it can happen to anyone".

Common error

While versatile, "can happen" might sound too informal in academic or business contexts. Opt for more precise language like "is possible", "may occur", or "is subject to" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can happen" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing possibility or potential. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various scenarios, from unpredictable events to potential outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

15%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can happen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for expressing possibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. While versatile, it's essential to consider the context and register of your writing. For more formal settings, alternatives like ""is possible"" or ""may occur"" might be more appropriate. Remember to use "can happen" to convey a sense of potential without certainty, and be aware of its neutral register for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could occur

Replaces 'can' with 'could', suggesting a slightly lower probability.

might happen

Substitutes 'can' with 'might', indicating a possibility.

may occur

Uses 'may' instead of 'can', conveying a formal sense of possibility.

is possible

Rephrases the idea as a statement of possibility.

is liable to happen

Emphasizes a tendency or likelihood.

is apt to occur

Indicates a natural tendency or likelihood for something to happen.

is prone to happening

Highlights a susceptibility or vulnerability.

is subject to happening

Implies that something is conditional or dependent on circumstances.

has the potential to happen

Focuses on the inherent possibility within a situation.

it is not impossible

Expresses that something is within the realm of possibility, even if unlikely.

FAQs

How do I use "can happen" in a sentence?

"Can happen" is used to express a possibility or potential occurrence. For example, "Anything "can happen" in this situation" or "That "can happen" any day".

What are some alternatives to "can happen"?

Alternatives include "could occur", "might happen", "is possible", or "may occur". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "can happens" grammatically correct?

No, "can happens" is grammatically incorrect. "Can" is a modal verb and does not change form based on the subject. The correct form is "can happen", regardless of the subject.

When is it appropriate to use "can happen" in writing?

"Can happen" is generally suitable for informal and neutral contexts. In more formal writing, consider alternatives like "may occur" or "is possible" to maintain a more professional tone.