had this happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had this happen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or event that occurred in the past, often implying a sense of surprise or unexpectedness. Example: "I never thought I would had this happen to me during my vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"I've never had this happen before.

The Guardian

She's never had this happen before.

The New Yorker

"We've never really had this happen before," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"Extraordinary," Morgan later wrote, "[I've] never had this happen before".

The Guardian

Nobody in my family had had this happen before.

The New York Times - Magazine

This might be a issue with my internet browser because I've had this happen before.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

How had this happened?

The New York Times

When had this happened?

The New York Times - Magazine

Had this happened?

The New Yorker

"To have this happen is insane".

The New York Times

How has this happened?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had this happen" to describe unexpected or surprising events. It often implies a sense of novelty or unfamiliarity with the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "had this happen" in the present tense. It's a past tense construction, so ensure the surrounding sentences reflect a past context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had this happen" functions as a colloquial way to describe a past experience, often implying surprise or novelty. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts, from personal anecdotes to news reporting.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had this happen" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe past experiences, frequently those that are unexpected or surprising. Ludwig AI confirms its presence across diverse contexts, especially in news and media and academic writing, though more frequent in informal settings. While grammatically sound and accepted, remember that the verb tense refers to the past. Consider alternatives such as "experienced this situation" or "encountered this event" for a more formal tone. Overall, it's a versatile phrase to add color to your writing, as long as you use it in the correct tense and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experienced this situation

Replaces 'happen' with 'situation' to emphasize the context of the event.

encountered this event

Substitutes 'happen' with 'event' for a more formal tone.

gone through this experience

Emphasizes the personal journey or process of the event.

faced this issue

Highlights a problem or challenge that has occurred.

dealt with this matter

Focuses on handling or managing the situation.

witnessed this occurrence

Implies observation or witnessing of the event.

this transpired

A more formal and concise way of saying 'this happened'.

this came to pass

A slightly archaic and more dramatic way to express the event.

this unfolded

Suggests a gradual or revealing progression of the event.

this took place

A straightforward and neutral way of saying 'this happened'.

FAQs

How can I use "had this happen" in a sentence?

You can use "had this happen" to describe something unexpected that occurred in the past. For example: "I never thought I would "had this happen" during my vacation."

What are some alternatives to "had this happen"?

Alternatives include "experienced this situation", "encountered this event", or "gone through this experience", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "have this happen" instead of "had this happen"?

The phrase "have this happen" is grammatically correct but conveys a different meaning, typically implying a present or future possibility, whereas ""had this happen"" refers to a past event.

What's the difference between "had this happen" and "experienced this"?

"Had this happen" often carries a sense of surprise or unexpectedness, while "experienced this" is a more general way of describing something you went through.