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"what happened" vs "what did happen"

Both "what happened" and "what did happen" are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. "What happened" is more commonly used in everyday conversations to inquire about past events, while "what did happen" is used for emphasis or in formal situations.

Last Updated: March 21, 2024

what happened

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to inquire about past events.

This phrase is used to ask about events that occurred in the past. It is a simple and direct way to inquire about what took place.

Examples:

  • What happened at the meeting yesterday?
  • I heard a loud noise. What happened?
  • Can you tell me what happened during the game?
  • I'm curious about what happened at the party.
  • What happened to your phone?

Alternatives:

  • What occurred?
  • What transpired?
  • What took place?
  • What went down?
  • What was the outcome?

what did happen

This phrase is correct but less commonly used. It is used for emphasis or in formal situations.

This phrase is used to emphasize a past event or in more formal contexts. It can add emphasis to the question or statement.

Examples:

  • I asked him what did happen, but he wouldn't tell me.
  • What did happen to the missing files?
  • Can you explain what did happen last night?
  • I wonder what did happen to the money.
  • Tell me, what did happen after I left?

Alternatives:

  • What actually happened?
  • What really happened?
  • What precisely happened?
  • What indeed happened?
  • What specifically happened?

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