that occurred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that occurred" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an event or situation that has taken place in the past. Example: "The incident that occurred last week has raised several concerns among the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And that occurred".

The New York Times

"These are things that occurred".

The New York Times

But I don't know everything that occurred".

The New York Times

And that's not the situation that occurred".

The New York Times - Sports

Little of that occurred with O'Rourke.

The Washington Post

I passed along the suggestions that occurred to me.

The New York Times - Books

First of all, I loved the misinterpretation that occurred early.

The New York Times

A classic case of that occurred this week.

The Guardian

So the question that occurred to me was this.

The Guardian

What was the very first thing that occurred to you?

The Guardian - Film

He tells about an event that occurred in 1957.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formal texts, use "that occurred" instead of "that happened" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "occurred" when referring to present or future events. "Occurred" strictly denotes past actions. Instead, use words like 'happens', 'arises', or 'will occur' depending on the intended tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that occurred" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by providing additional information about it. It specifies which particular event or situation is being referred to. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

12%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that occurred" is a grammatically sound and frequently used relative clause for referring to past events. Ludwig confirms it's usability. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to provide specific details or clarification. While generally neutral, it leans towards a slightly more formal register. For alternative phrasing, consider "that happened" for less formal contexts or "that transpired" for a more elevated tone. Remember to use "that occurred" exclusively for past events and avoid it in present or future contexts. The high expert rating reflects its grammatical correctness, source authority, and consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that happened

Replaces "occurred" with a simpler, more common synonym.

that took place

Offers a slightly more formal alternative to "happened".

that transpired

Provides a more formal and sometimes dramatic alternative.

that came about

Suggests a sense of how something developed or emerged.

that ensued

Implies a sequence of events following an initial action.

that materialised

Highlights the actualization or realization of something.

that presented itself

Emphasizes the appearance or occurrence of an opportunity or problem.

that unfolded

Suggests a gradual revelation or development of events.

that came to pass

A more literary or old-fashioned way of saying "happened".

that played out

Describes how an event or situation progressed and concluded.

FAQs

How can I use "that occurred" in a sentence?

Use "that occurred" to refer to an event or incident that has already taken place. For example: "The error "that occurred" during the experiment needs to be investigated".

What are some alternatives to "that occurred"?

Alternatives to "that occurred" include "that happened", "that took place", or "that transpired". The choice depends on the level of formality and the specific context.

Is there a difference between "that occurred" and "that happened"?

While both phrases are similar, "that occurred" is generally considered more formal than "that happened". Use "that occurred" in professional or academic writing and "that happened" in more casual contexts.

When should I use "that occurred" instead of "which occurred"?

"That occurred" is used in restrictive clauses, which are essential to the meaning of the sentence. "Which occurred" is used in non-restrictive clauses, which add extra information but are not essential. For example: "The incident "that occurred" led to new safety protocols" (essential) vs. "The incident, "which occurred" last week, is still under investigation" (extra information).