occurred to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occurred to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a thought or idea that suddenly came to someone's mind. Example: "While he was walking in the park, it occurred to him that he had forgotten his keys at home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Spontaneity has not recently occurred to him.

The New Yorker

No doubt that has occurred to him.

The Economist

Then something occurred to him; he smiled.

The New York Times

He says it occurred to him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It sort of just occurred to him.

The New York Times

Then another scenario occurred to him.

The New Yorker

A swing thought occurred to him.

The New York Times - Sports

But something had occurred to him.

The New York Times - Arts

But quitting never occurred to him.

The New York Times - Sports

It hadn't occurred to him to ask why.

Harvard Business Review

It never occurred to him to change the name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "occurred to him" to depict a sudden thought or realization, especially when narrating events or describing someone's internal state. For instance, "As he walked, it "occurred to him" that he had forgotten his umbrella".

Common error

Avoid using "occurred to him" when you want to describe a thought process that was gradual or expected. Instead, use phrases like "he realized" or "he considered". "Occurred to him" works best when the thought emerges unexpectedly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occurred to him" functions as an idiomatic expression, describing the sudden appearance of a thought or idea in someone's mind. This usage aligns with Ludwig's examples, where it depicts moments of realization or inspiration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Less common in

Science

0.3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "occurred to him" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone has suddenly had a thought or realization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in written English across a wide variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "crossed his mind" or "struck him" exist, "occurred to him" maintains a neutral tone suitable for general communication. When employing the phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a sudden or unexpected thought, as misusing it for gradual realizations can lead to confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

crossed his mind

Replaces "occurred" with "crossed", implying a fleeting thought.

struck him

Suggests a sudden and impactful realization.

dawned on him

Implies a gradual understanding or realization.

it hit him

Emphasizes the forcefulness or unexpectedness of the thought.

came to his mind

A more literal and neutral alternative.

it became clear to him

Highlights the clarity and understanding gained.

he realized

A more direct statement of realization, omitting the sense of suddenness.

it registered with him

Indicates the thought was processed and understood.

he understood

Focuses on comprehension rather than the arrival of an idea.

he thought of

Indicates the beginning of a thought process, not necessarily a sudden realization.

FAQs

How can I use "occurred to him" in a sentence?

Use "occurred to him" to indicate a sudden realization or thought. For example, "It "occurred to him" that he had left the oven on."

What can I say instead of "occurred to him"?

You can use alternatives like "crossed his mind", "struck him", or "dawned on him" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "occurred to him" or "happened to him"?

"Occurred to him" refers to a thought or idea that came to mind. "Happened to him" refers to an event that took place. They are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "occurred to him" and "he realized"?

"Occurred to him" implies a sudden thought or realization, while "he realized" can refer to a more gradual understanding. The first emphasizes the moment of inception, while the second emphasizes the comprehension itself.