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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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didn't occur

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That didn't occur".

News & Media

The New York Times

That massacre didn't occur in isolation.

News & Media

The Economist

It just didn't occur to me.

"Racism just didn't occur to me".

News & Media

The New York Times

"It didn't occur to me," she said.

News & Media

The Guardian

"It just didn't occur to us.

News & Media

The New York Times

It just didn't occur to you.

News & Media

The New Yorker

The question didn't occur to me.

News & Media

The New Yorker

It didn't occur to them think about someone else's perspective.

But the idea didn't occur to anyone else.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"It probably didn't occur to him that I heard it.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "didn't occur" to express that an event, idea, or action did not happen or was not considered. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "didn't occur" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "didn't occur" in complex passive constructions where a more direct verb would be clearer. For instance, instead of saying "It didn't occur to the plan to include everyone", use "The plan didn't include everyone".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "didn't occur" functions as a negative statement indicating that something did not happen, was not considered, or did not come to mind. Ludwig provides various examples demonstrating its use in different contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Reference

4%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "didn't occur" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something did not happen or was not considered. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various situations. While alternatives like "did not happen" or "was not considered" offer similar meanings, "didn't occur" is a versatile choice for conveying a lack of occurrence or realization. Whether you're writing a news article, a scientific paper, or a casual email, using "didn't occur" can effectively communicate that something did not take place or was not contemplated.

FAQs

What does "didn't occur" mean?

"Didn't occur" means something did not happen, was not considered, or did not come to mind. It's a way of saying an event didn't take place or an idea wasn't thought of.

How can I use "didn't occur" in a sentence?

You can use "didn't occur" to indicate something that didn't happen or wasn't considered. For example, "It "didn't occur" to me to bring an umbrella", or "The event "didn't occur" as planned".

What are some alternatives to "didn't occur"?

Alternatives to "didn't occur" include phrases like "did not happen", "did not take place", or "was not considered", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "did not occur" instead of "didn't occur"?

Yes, "did not occur" is slightly more formal than "didn't occur". The contracted form, "didn't", is generally suitable for most contexts, while "did not" might be preferred in formal writing or speech for emphasis or clarity.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: