it had occurred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it had occurred" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an event that happened in the past. For example, "It had occurred to me that I had forgotten to feed the cat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It had occurred at Wolverine.

The New Yorker

It had occurred to no one to build proper roads.

The Guardian - Opinion

It had occurred to him, he said, while he listened to an ophthalmologist in the group.

The New York Times - Magazine

If it had occurred to me, I might have invented Cloak on the spot.

The New Yorker

If it had occurred to her to complain, whom could she have complained to?

The New Yorker

We dealt with that situation once it had occurred as well as we could.

The New York Times

In the past, they observed, it had occurred only under quite different conditions.

The Economist

As a result, it was used only to rein in an outbreak after it had occurred.

The New York Times

Neither he nor three accomplices ever said exactly how it had occurred.

The New York Times

Much about the theft remained unknown, including exactly where and when it had occurred.

The New York Times

He was not sure how or when he was injured, but he thought it had occurred in the second period.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it had occurred", ensure the surrounding text clearly establishes the timeline, making clear what event happened before something else. For example: "By the time the rescue team arrived, it had occurred to the survivors that they were truly alone."

Common error

Avoid using "it had occurred" when a simple past tense ("it occurred") would suffice. The past perfect is only necessary when describing an event that happened before another event in the past. Don't use it if there isn't a clear earlier point of reference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it had occurred" functions as a verbal phrase in the past perfect tense. It is used to indicate that an action or event was completed before another point in time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it had occurred" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used past perfect phrase that's used to show that an action was completed before another action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use, with examples spanning across diverse contexts like news, science, and general writing. Its register is neutral to formal, making it suitable for professional and academic environments alike. When employing "it had occurred", be sure to clarify the timeline, and also avoid its redundant use if a simple past tense suffices.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it happened

A simpler and more direct way of saying something occurred.

it transpired

Focuses more on the revealing or unfolding of an event.

it came about

Similar to "it happened" but can also imply a specific cause or reason.

it came to pass

A more formal or literary way of saying something happened.

it took place

Emphasizes the event's location or setting.

it developed

Highlights the gradual process of something happening.

it ensued

Suggests that the event followed as a consequence of something else.

it unfolded

Focuses on the way events developed or were revealed.

it materialized

Implies that something became real or visible.

it presented itself

Indicates that an opportunity or situation arose.

FAQs

How do I use "it had occurred" in a sentence?

Use "it had occurred" to describe an event that happened before another event in the past. For instance, "It had occurred to me that I left my keys at home after I arrived at work."

What's the difference between "it occurred" and "it had occurred"?

"It occurred" refers to a simple past event. "It had occurred" refers to an event that happened before another event in the past. The latter establishes a sequence of past events.

Which is correct, "it had occurred" or "it was occurred"?

"It had occurred" is the correct past perfect form. "It was occurred" is grammatically incorrect.

What can I say instead of "it had occurred"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "it happened", "it transpired", or "it came to pass".