it's happened vs it happened

Both "it's happened" and "it happened" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "It's happened" is used when referring to a recent event or something that has just occurred, while "it happened" is used to talk about a past event that is not necessarily recent.

Last updated: April 04, 2024 • 329 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to a recent event or something that has just occurred.

"it's happened"

Use "it's happened" when you want to talk about something that has recently occurred or an event that is still fresh in your mind.

Examples:

I can't believe it's happened!
It's happened before, so we need to be prepared.
It's happened again, and I'm getting tired of it.
It's happened so many times that I've lost count.
It's happened just now, and I'm still in shock.

Show examples from the web [+]

Well, it's happened at last.
Yes, it's happened, Mr Carlos.
FDA:It happens, it's happened often.
Interestingly, it's happened almost entirely without media coverage.
Most likely it's happened during periods when the cave was dry.
There has to be one, because it's happened.
Because my Victor didn't and it's happened before.
At least it's happened to a deserving family.
If it's happened before, I blocked it out entirely.
I think it's happened again.
You know someone that it's happened to.
No, it's happened before in the States.
Well, it's happened in basketball.
Never been this close when it's happened.
And now it's happened and I feel like...
Now that it's happened again, I'm just numb.
Inspector, it's... it's happened again.
Took a little longer than I thought, but it's happened.
You told me it wasn't possible yet, but it's happened.
I thought this guy was dirty a year ago, and now it's happened again.

Alternatives:

It has happened
It's occurred

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when talking about a past event that is not necessarily recent.

"it happened"

Use "it happened" when you want to refer to something that occurred in the past, without specifying the exact time frame.

Examples:

I heard about what happened yesterday.
It happened a long time ago, but I still remember it clearly.
I don't know how it happened, but it did.
It happened when I was a child, so my memory is a bit fuzzy.
Do you remember what happened at the party?

Show examples from the web [+]

Only this time it happened so quickly.
Or any night since it happened.
All of it happened so that we could open the hatch.
But I can't stand Merkl any more since it happened.
What hit him or who or where it happened.
They even say it happened at Verdun...
This child was born when it happened.
I know, but it happened.
Buffy's been so down since it happened.
You know, it happened so fast.
Most of it happened when I was in college.
You said it, d it happened.
Connor and your brother weren't here when it happened.
We were on our way out there when it happened.
I don't know why it happened.
He was with me when it happened.
We were in the visitors' gallery when it happened.
She was standing on a concrete floor when it happened.
Forensics is at work where it happened last night.
They need to know why it happened, whether it'll happen again.

Alternatives:

It occurred
It took place

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