how this occurs

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "how this occurs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process or mechanism behind a particular event or phenomenon. Example: "The researchers are investigating how this occurs in order to better understand the underlying mechanisms of the disease."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I said, 'No, we have models of how this occurs,' " she recalled.

The New York Times - Science

But scientists are still debating what is being misinterpreted and how this occurs.

The New York Times - Science

Obtaining an understanding of the microfoundations of how this occurs is the ultimate pursuit.

The Economist

"It raises the question of how this occurs and if it's a compensatory process.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Research is needed to better understand how this occurs despite visible appearance changes.

Journal of Pediatric Nursing

One explanation for how this occurs comes from Deborah M. Burke, a professor of psychology at Pomona College in California.

The New York Times

The stunning thing is that we can now see how this occurs, how neurons change their tuning as the monkey does different tasks".

The New York Times

This has resulted in health care professionals expecting better outcomes for all R.A. patients, no matter how this occurs: diet, lifestyle, older therapies used smarter or new therapies.

The New York Times

How this occurs is simple — your data has a quality problem.

Forbes

When, where and how this occurs is addressed throughout the essay.

SEP

To see how this occurs, we need to understand the nature of suffering.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "how this occurs" in scientific or technical writing, ensure that the context clearly defines "this" to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the phenomenon or process you're referring to directly before using the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "how this occurs" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "how this happens" or "how it works" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "how this occurs" functions as a relative clause, typically serving as a noun clause that acts as a subject or object within a sentence. It introduces an explanation or inquiry regarding the manner in which something takes place, as exemplified by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

30%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "how this occurs" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, particularly within scientific, academic, and news-related contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it's best suited for formal and neutral registers, offering a way to explore the process or mechanism underlying an event. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "how this happens" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

how this happens

This is a more informal and common alternative, suitable for everyday conversation and less formal writing.

the manner in which this occurs

A more formal and somewhat redundant way of expressing the original phrase.

the mechanism by which this happens

This alternative is more formal and specific, emphasizing the step-by-step process.

the process through which this unfolds

This emphasizes the sequential nature of the event and is slightly more descriptive.

in what way this takes place

This is a more formal and somewhat indirect way of asking about the process.

how it transpires

This alternative uses a more sophisticated vocabulary to describe the unfolding of events.

how this comes about

This focuses on the origin or cause of the event, rather than the process itself.

what the underlying cause is

This option shifts the focus to the root cause or reason behind the occurrence.

what the causal factor is

This phrase is concise and emphasizes the specific element that leads to the event.

what the method is

Focuses specifically on the methodology or technique involved in the process.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "how this occurs"?

Alternatives include /s/how+this+happens, /s/how+it+works, or /s/how+this+comes+about depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "how this occurs" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "how this occurs" is perfectly acceptable and often used in academic and scientific writing to discuss mechanisms, processes, or phenomena. It maintains a formal and objective tone.

What's the difference between "how this occurs" and "why this occurs"?

"How this occurs" focuses on the process or mechanism, while "why this occurs" focuses on the reasons or causes behind the event. The choice depends on whether you're interested in the method or the motivation.

Can I start a sentence with "how this occurs"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "how this occurs" can sometimes sound awkward. It's often better to rephrase the sentence for smoother flow. For example, instead of "How this occurs is still unknown", try "The mechanism by which this occurs is still unknown".