occur, happen都可表示“发生”之意,都是
不及物动词或短语,不能用于
被动语态。
occur是比较正式的用语,可用于具体或抽象的事物, 通常指按计划或规律在较为确定的时间“发生”的事。如:
I'm afraid that this would occur during my absence.= I'm afraid that this would happen during my absence.恐怕这事会在我不在时发生。
happen常指具体事件的发生,特别指那些偶然的或未能预见的“发生”。比如:
New things are happening all around us. 我们身边总有新事发生。