something would happen

USAGE SUMMARY

"something would happen" is correct in written English.
You can use it when you want to express an idea that is possible, although not certain. For example: "I was worried that something would happen if I didn't show up on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Something would happen next.

The New Yorker

"Something would happen," she said.

The New York Times

"Then something would happen".

The New York Times

Sometimes something would happen.

The Guardian

"We hoped something would happen.

The New York Times - Sports

She began to worry that something would happen to it.

The New Yorker

Once or twice a month, though, something would happen.

Independent

"But I had a feeling something would happen tomorrow.

The New Yorker

We always thought that when Gabby was shot, something would happen; with Sandy Hook, something would happen; with Aurora, something would happen, and it never did".

The Guardian

It would be a shame if something would happen".

The New York Times

I tried my best to see if something would happen.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "something would happen" to express a sense of expectation or anticipation about a future event, especially when the exact nature of the event is unknown or uncertain.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses unexpectedly. If you're discussing a past event where "something would happen", ensure the surrounding sentences also maintain a consistent past tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "something would happen" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility, expectation, or consequence in a hypothetical or past context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples show it frequently appears in narratives and discussions about potential or anticipated events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "something would happen" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express expectation, possibility, or fear regarding a future event, particularly in relation to a past situation or hypothetical scenario. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, predominantly in news and media contexts. It is essential to maintain tense consistency and consider suitable alternatives based on the specific context to enhance clarity and precision in writing. When you want to imply a future event in the context of the past or a hypothetical situation this phrase is the perfect choice. When writing, remember the points mentioned, and your text will be more consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

something is bound to occur

Replaces "would" with "is bound to", emphasizing inevitability.

something is likely to happen

Substitutes "would" with "is likely to", indicating probability.

an event is anticipated

Replaces "something" with "an event" and uses a more formal tone with "anticipated".

fate would have it

Implies that an event is predetermined or unavoidable.

it was destined to occur

Emphasizes that an event was inevitable and predetermined.

an incident was foreseen

Replaces "would happen" with "was foreseen", indicating anticipation or prediction.

circumstances would unfold

Substitutes "something" with "circumstances" and "happen" with "unfold", suggesting a gradual revelation of events.

events were set to transpire

Uses more formal vocabulary like "transpire" to indicate occurrence.

the future held an occurrence

Suggests the future contains an unspecified event.

a development was on the horizon

Indicates that a change or event is expected in the near future.

FAQs

How can I use "something would happen" in a sentence?

You can use "something would happen" to express an expectation or fear about a future event related to a past situation. For example, "I was worried that "something would happen" if I left the door unlocked".

What are some alternatives to "something would happen"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "something is likely to happen", "something is bound to occur", or "fate would have it" to convey similar meanings.

Is "something will happen" the same as "something would happen"?

While similar, "something will happen" expresses a more direct prediction about the future. "Something would happen" often refers to a conditional or hypothetical situation, or a past expectation about the future. For example, "I thought "something will happen" tomorrow" expresses certainty, while "I thought "something would happen"" indicates a past belief or fear.

When is it appropriate to use "something would happen" instead of "something happens"?

"Something happens" is used for habitual or general truths, while ""something would happen"" is used for specific events that were expected or feared in the past. For instance, "Every time it rained, something happens" describes a regular occurrence, whereas "Every time it rained, "something would happen"" implies a specific anticipated event.