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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
didn't occur
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesTable of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
"That didn't occur".
News & Media
That massacre didn't occur in isolation.
News & Media
It just didn't occur to me.
News & Media
"Racism just didn't occur to me".
News & Media
"It didn't occur to me," she said.
News & Media
"It just didn't occur to us.
News & Media
It just didn't occur to you.
News & Media
The question didn't occur to me.
News & Media
It didn't occur to them think about someone else's perspective.
News & Media
But the idea didn't occur to anyone else.
News & Media
"It probably didn't occur to him that I heard it.
News & Media
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".
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
did not happen
This is a direct and simple substitute, focusing on the lack of occurrence.
never happened
A more emphatic way of saying something didn't occur, stressing its complete absence.
did not take place
This alternative emphasizes the absence of an event or action.
did not arise
This suggests that an issue, problem, or thought did not emerge or present itself.
did not cross my mind
This phrase highlights that a particular thought or idea was not considered by the speaker.
did not come about
This implies that something did not come into existence or take place.
was not considered
This focuses on the lack of consideration or thought given to something.
was not contemplated
Similar to 'was not considered' but suggests a more formal or deliberate process of thinking.
failed to materialize
This indicates that something did not come to fruition or become a reality.
was not foreseen
This suggests that something was not anticipated or predicted.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested