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if i happen to vs if i happened to

Both phrases are correct, but the verb tenses are different. 'If I happen to' is used to talk about a current or future possibility, while 'If I happened to' is about a past possibility. So, the choice between them depends on the tense you want to convey.

Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: June 12, 2024 • 14938 views

if i happen to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a current or future possibility.

This phrase is used to talk about something that might occur in the present or future. It implies a sense of chance or possibility.

Examples:

If I happen to see him, I will let you know.
If I happen to find the book, I'll bring it to you.

Show examples from the web [+]

If I happen to be in front of a television.
And if I happen to win a contest, that's okay too.
If I happen to pass away while we're doing anything, just have the embalmer leave the smile on my face.
And if I happen to bump into Janet, I will check on her.
Although, if I happen to impressive the hell out of him on a professional level, and he happens to fall head over heels in love with me as a result, then I will deal with that at the appropriate time.
Why don't you leave your number in my mailbox, and if I happen to run into Mr. Coogan,
If I happen to hit the wall at exactly the right moment, when all the spaces are aligned, then theoretically I should pass right through the wall.
I will tell you that you are very sad, if I happen to meet her.
If I happen to know it was my wife that did so, I have no intention of testifying against her.
So, if I happen to cross some kind of imaginary line with you, just let me know.
If I happen to bump into Ezra, that's just a bonus.
If I happen to become a world-famous journalist in the process, so be it.
If I happen to bump into Ezra, that's just a bonus.
And if I happen to make 'em better than anyone, then I've got a bigger responsibility than anyone to serve it up.
That recognition is null and void if I happen to suddenly realize... that you are not of sound mind.
So if I happen to cure you, what happens then?
So if I happen to cure you, what happens then?
And if I happen to get a new car at the end of the day,
And if I happen to have a firearm upon me, it may have something to do with the fact that there are one or two people in this world who want to do me harm.
So if I happen to know exactly where he is, I'm supposed to go and put my life in danger to save that little rug rat's life?

Alternatives:

if I happen to come across
if I happen to stumble upon
if I happen to run into
if I happen to discover
if I happen to notice

if i happened to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a past possibility.

This phrase is used to talk about something that might have occurred in the past. It implies a sense of chance or possibility in a past context.

Examples:

If I happened to see him yesterday, I don't remember.
If I happened to find the key, I must have lost it again.

Show examples from the web [+]

Besides, if I happened to run into Bryce, that wouldn't be the end of the world.
Besides, if I happened to run into Bryce, that wouldn't be the end of the world.
I'm sorry, but you specifically said if I happened to be in France, I should drop in.
You know, if I happened to -
There were phone calls which would end abruptly if I happened to walk in.
Mind if I ask what happened to you?
I wonder if something happened to him when he was in the army.
So would I, if anything happened to Walter.
And what if I said that happened to me?
And I know if anything happened to me that you'd be took care of.
I wonder if this happened to President Kennedy when he was driving a prison bus.
I thought if anything happened to me, he might be all alone in the world.
Too bad the song's already started because if I told you what happened to me last night, you wouldn't believe it.
If I find out what happened to Kendall Casablancas
I wouldn 't have laughed if I'd known what happened to Joe Toye.
What if I told you what happened to your sister?
I know if that happened to me, I would be hurt and furious and sad and worried.
If I find out what happened to Kendall Casablancas
I wonder if you happened to know what this can is?
She warned me that she may become unavailable, and if that happened, I was to contact you this way.

Alternatives:

if I had happened to
if I had come across
if I had stumbled upon
if I had run into
if I had discovered

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