happen

If something takes place, an event occurs or a situation changes.

• What happened yesterday?
• Accidents can happen anywhere.
• Nothing unusual happened at school today.

How to use it: happen to someone/something (What happened to your bike?)

Similar words: occur, take place

Common phrases: happen again, happen at school, happen to someone, happen here

To do something or be in a situation by chance, without planning it.

• Do you happen to know her?
• I happened to find an empty seat.
• If you happen to pass the shop, buy some milk.

How to use it: happen to + verb (I happened to see your brother yesterday.); it happens that… (It happened that we were on the same train.)

Similar words: chance

Common phrases: happen to know, happen to meet, happen to be