there happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "there happen" is not a correct sentence in written English.
It is possible to use the phrase "things happen" in written English, however. For example, "Sometimes things happen that are not in our control."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

So is there £235m outstanding?

The Guardian

There were10  rooms like this!

Vice

And over there, 1910?

The New York Times

Been there '71.

Independent

He stayed there 13 years.

The New York Times - Sports

I was there 15 years.

The New York Times

There, 158 lives were lost.

Independent

Worked there 15 years.

The New York Times

Maybe it was there 100 years ago.

The Guardian

Chelsea lost there, 3-1, to Napoli.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was there 12 years," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "there happen" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "things happen" or "events occur".

Common error

Do not use "there" with a verb that requires a direct subject. "There" introduces existence, not action. Saying "there happen" is like saying "existence happen", which makes no sense. Instead use a proper subject such as "things" or "events".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there happen" is grammatically incorrect. The word "there" typically introduces the existence of something, while "happen" is a verb describing an action or occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms this incorrect usage.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there happen" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in both formal and informal writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase violates basic subject-verb agreement rules. Correct alternatives include "things "happen"", "events "occur"", or "incidents "arise"", depending on the intended meaning. Using grammatically correct alternatives ensures clarity and credibility in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things happen

Replaces the impersonal "there" with "things" to create a grammatically correct statement about occurrences.

events occur

Substitutes "happen" with the more formal "occur", maintaining a similar meaning.

incidents arise

Replaces both words for a slightly more specific connotation, suggesting the emergence of particular events.

situations develop

Focuses on the unfolding of circumstances, offering a more descriptive alternative.

circumstances unfold

Similar to 'situations develop' but emphasizes the gradual revelation of events.

it comes to pass

Provides a more idiomatic and somewhat archaic alternative to express that something occurs.

it transpires

Offers a formal way of saying that something turns out to be the case or becomes known.

developments take place

Highlights that certain advancements or changes are occurring.

certain things come about

Emphasizes the arrival or emergence of specific, undefined occurrences.

some things materialize

Suggests that certain events become concrete or real after a period of development.

FAQs

Is "there happen" grammatically correct?

No, "there happen" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct usage would involve a subject like "things" or "events", such as in the phrase "things "happen"".

What can I say instead of "there happen"?

You can use alternatives like "things "happen"", "events "occur"", or "incidents "arise"" to express that something is taking place.

How to correct the phrase "there happen" in a sentence?

Replace "there happen" with a grammatically correct alternative that uses a subject and verb agreement. For example, instead of "there happen many challenges", say "many challenges "arise"" or "things "happen" that create challenges."

What's the difference between "there happen" and "things happen"?

"There happen" is grammatically incorrect. "Things "happen"" is a correct phrase used to indicate that events or occurrences take place, often implying a lack of control or predictability.