this all happened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this all happened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a series of events or actions that have taken place, often in a narrative or explanatory context. Example: "After months of planning and hard work, this all happened in just one weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

This all happened very quickly.

The Guardian - Sport

"This all happened in 2003.

The New York Times

I don't know how this all happened.

The New Yorker

This all happened within a few days.

The Washington Post

So how has this all happened?

The Guardian - Opinion

This all happened eight years ago.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

This has all happened within two weeks.

The Washington Post

This has all happened several times before.

The New York Times

This has all happened before.

BBC

How did this all happen?

The New York Times - Books

This all happens so quickly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this all happened" to provide a concise summary or transition in your narrative, ensuring it clearly refers to the preceding events or context.

Common error

When using "this all happened", make sure it's clear what "this" refers to. If the context isn't immediately obvious, briefly restate the events or situation being summarized to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

"This all happened" functions as a concise summary phrase, typically used to encapsulate a series of preceding events. As seen in Ludwig, it connects a sequence of actions to their consequences, providing a transition in a narrative or explanation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this all happened" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, functioning as a transitional summary in various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia, it serves to encapsulate previous events before moving on to their consequences. To ensure clarity, always provide sufficient context so that "this" is easily understood. While alternatives like "all of this occurred" and "this transpired" exist, the original phrase remains a versatile and direct way to summarize past events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all of this occurred

Replaces "happened" with "occurred", maintaining the same meaning with a slightly more formal tone.

this all transpired

Substitutes "happened" with "transpired", indicating a sequence of events, often with an implication of mystery or intrigue.

this unfolded

Replaces the entire phrase with a more concise expression, focusing on the revealing of events.

the events unfolded in this way

Adds context and specifies that the events followed a particular course.

the sequence of events occurred as follows

Provides a more formal and structured way of introducing a series of events.

this came to pass

Uses a more literary and somewhat archaic expression to indicate that something happened.

this played out

Replaces the phrase with a more vivid expression, suggesting a scenario or drama.

this situation arose

Focuses on the emergence of a situation, rather than a simple occurrence.

the circumstances led to this

Emphasizes the role of circumstances in causing the event.

the outcome was this

Shifts focus to the result of a series of events.

FAQs

How can I use "this all happened" in a sentence?

You can use "this all happened" to summarize a series of events, like in the sentence: "After a series of unfortunate decisions, "this all happened" within a single week." It's often used to transition to the consequences or aftermath of those events.

What are some alternatives to "this all happened"?

Alternatives include "all of this occurred", "this transpired", or "this unfolded". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to start a sentence with "this all happened"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "this all happened" might sound less formal. Consider rephrasing for a more professional tone, such as "The culmination of these events was..." or "As a result of these circumstances...". Otherwise in informal writing is perfectly fine.

What's the difference between "this all happened" and "this all occurs"?

"This all happened" refers to events that have already taken place, using the past tense. "This all occurs" implies a present or future occurrence, suggesting a recurring or habitual event. The choice depends on whether you are describing something that has already concluded or something that is currently happening or will happen.