something happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "something happen" is not correct in standard written English. It can be used in informal contexts, but it typically requires a form of the verb "to have" for grammatical accuracy, such as "something happens" or "something happened." An example could be: "I hope something happens that changes everything." Alternative expressions include "something occurs" and "something takes place."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Did something happen?

The New York Times

Then you'll see something happen.

The New York Times

Make something happen.

The New York Times - Sports

It makes something happen".

The Guardian - Books

"Did something happen to Sarah?

The Guardian

"Did something happen?" "Road's closed".

The New York Times - Magazine

Can words make something happen?

The Guardian - Books

You must make something happen.

The New York Times - Sports

or a Did something happen?

The New Yorker

"Did something happen at school?" I shrugged.

The New Yorker

We needed to make something happen".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, replace "something happen" with more precise and grammatically sound alternatives like "something occurred" or "an event took place".

Common error

Don't use the phrase "something happen" without a proper tense marker. Always conjugate the verb "happen" to reflect the appropriate time frame (e.g., "something happened", "something is happening", "something will happen").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something happen" is grammatically incorrect as it lacks proper verb conjugation. Although commonly used in informal contexts or questions like "Did something happen?", it requires a conjugated form of the verb 'happen' to be grammatically correct. Ludwig AI shows the phrase is often found in informal contexts despite its incorrectness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "something happen" appears frequently in various sources, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that proper conjugation of the verb "happen" is necessary for correct usage. For formal writing, it's recommended to use alternatives such as "something occurred" or "something took place". Although found in news and media, its informality makes it unsuitable for formal contexts. The frequency of its appearance might lead to its acceptance in informal settings, but writers should aim for grammatical correctness in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something occurs

Replaces "happen" with a more formal synonym, "occurs".

something takes place

Substitutes "happen" with the phrase "takes place", indicating a more formal or planned event.

something comes about

Replaces "happen" with "comes about", suggesting a gradual or unexpected development.

an event transpires

Uses more formal language to describe something happening, suitable for a more serious context.

something materializes

Suggests something becoming real or visible after a period of being uncertain or abstract.

an incident occurs

Focuses on a specific event, often with negative connotations.

a development arises

Highlights the emergence of a new situation or problem.

something falls out

Uses a more informal expression to describe something happening, often unexpectedly.

something unfolds

Implies a gradual revelation or development of events.

something ensues

Indicates that something happens as a result or consequence of a previous action.

FAQs

How should I correctly use "something happen" in a sentence?

The phrase "something happen" requires a conjugated verb form. Use phrases like "something happened" for past tense, "something happens" for present tense, or "something will happen" for future tense.

What are some formal alternatives to "something happen"?

For more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "something occurs", "something takes place", or "an event transpires".

Is it ever appropriate to use "something happen"?

While grammatically incorrect in formal writing, "something happen" might be acceptable in very informal speech or certain dialects. However, it's generally best to use a grammatically correct alternative.

What's the difference between "something happen" and "something happened"?

"Something happen" is grammatically incorrect. "Something happened" is the correct past tense form, indicating that an event occurred in the past.