what is happening vs what happened

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'What is happening' is used to inquire about current events or ongoing situations, while 'What happened' is used to ask about past events or situations. They are not interchangeable as they refer to different time frames.

Last updated: April 03, 2024 • 335 views

what is happening

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to inquire about current events or ongoing situations.

This phrase is used to ask about something that is currently taking place or unfolding. It is suitable for situations where you want to know what is currently going on.

Examples:

Can you tell me what is happening outside?
I'm not sure what is happening with the project right now.
What is happening in the stock market today?
Do you know what is happening at the party?
I heard some noise. What is happening?

Show examples from the web [+]

I don't think I'm mistaken about what is happening.
Alex, what is happening right now?
Carmello not know what is happening.
We know what is happening, Almec.
The people must be told what is happening.
I described for them what is happening here.
But what is happening in this house is not supernatural.
You are protecting us by showing what is happening at Tahrir Square.
I know exactly what is happening here and I'm not going anywhere.
Even as we speak, this is what is happening to your serpent queen.
Some of the warriors are unhappy with what is happening.
That's exactly what is happening, Moberley.
He produces extreme anxiety in Principal Skinner, who offers increasingly improbable stories to explain what is happening.
Its video looked again - it seems that what is happening is not entirely clear.
The way people die show me what is happening in the city.
Tell me what is happening in court.
Amazon is not alone at fault in what is happening.
Dreams evaporate like a Mirage, revealing a scary real picture of what is happening.
Selamat Balik! We return to relay more information about what is happening in your reality.
He sees what is happening in the spirit.

Alternatives:

What's going on?
What's the situation?
What's going on here?
What's going on with you?
What's happening now?

what happened

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to ask about past events or situations.

This phrase is used to inquire about something that occurred in the past. It is suitable for situations where you want to know what transpired previously.

Examples:

Can you tell me what happened yesterday?
I don't know what happened during the meeting.
What happened to your phone?
Do you know what happened at the event?
I heard a loud noise. What happened?

Show examples from the web [+]

Oct 3, 2022 ... what happened. 11M views 2 months ago. The Try Guys. The Try Guys. 8.08M subscribers. Subscribe. 960K. I like this. I dislike this.

Alternatives:

What occurred?
What took place?
What transpired?
What went down?
What happened next?

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