It happened to be vs It happens to be

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'It happened to be' is used when referring to something that occurred in the past, while 'it happens to be' is used when referring to something that is currently the case or generally true.

Last updated: April 03, 2024 • 264 views

This phrase is correct and is used when referring to something that occurred in the past.

"It happened to be"

This phrase is used to describe a situation or circumstance that was the case at a specific point in the past.

Examples:

It happened to be the right decision at the time.
The book I was looking for happened to be on the top shelf.

Show examples from the web [+]

It happened to be this guy.
It happened to be a good instinct, toots.
It happened to be in my pocket.
It happened to be in my pocket.
It happened to be a creative plan!
This "quantum leap" It happened to be when he was appointed director of L'Espresso Tommaso Cerno, former national leader Arcigay [cf.
It happened to be a grand feast-day, and the village was full of people.
It happened to be seen by the shogun himself, and he said that it looked like the small knife I gave to Lord Izumo in the former days.
It happened to be a Shift + Delete!
It happened to be a very useful thing, so shut it!
"""It happened to be just at that time, the day before..."""
We just heard "ice cream" on our police radio, and it happened to be Gus's snack time.
In this case, it happened to be the Wellesleys.
I mean, maybe Alwyn found an incorrect memory in no time at all because it happened to be in an area of her expertise.
I grabbed the nearest thing that I could find, and it happened to be a butcher knife.
And the guy who bought it happened to be a guy That Zach went to High School with.
So, on this occasion, it happened to be a female pilot.
I was seven - it happened to be my mother's birthday - October 24, 1975.
I was going to jump out of the window, but it happened to be on the ground floor.
So it happened to be open.

Alternatives:

It turned out to be
It happened that it was

This phrase is correct and is used when referring to something that is currently the case or generally true.

"It happens to be"

This phrase is used to describe a situation or circumstance that is currently true or generally true.

Examples:

It happens to be a beautiful day today.
She happens to be an expert in the field.

Show examples from the web [+]

It happens to be firm, solid and simply exquisite.
It happens to be "tagged" on Facebook, maybe photographed at a party and end up immediately online, with name and surname.
It happens to be connected to my latest case.
It happens to be what I do for a living.
It happens to be gently sprinkled with fruity notes, which at the end deliver quite an attractive and refreshing experience.
It happens to be a real product that exactly about obtaining your system into condition as well as the particular keys to getting abs.
And yet it happens to be the word I used.
And if it happens to be a shift + delete, your desperation will know no bounds.
It happens to be intriguing to me.
It happens to be 10:45, or thereabouts.
It happens to be Hazel's birthday today.
It happens to be how women lift cars off babies.
It happens to be how women lift cars off babies.
It happens to be where I became an adult.
It happens to be my favorite.
It happens to be a fact.
It happens to be my favourite.
It happens to be a wom.
It happens to be our house and no.
It happens to be where Josh lives

Alternatives:

It turns out to be
It is the case that

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It happened to be vs It happens to be

"It happened to be"

"It happens to be"

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