which happen vs which happens

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Which happen' is used when referring to plural nouns, while 'which happens' is used when referring to singular nouns.

Last updated: March 24, 2024

which happen

This phrase is correct when referring to plural nouns.

Use 'which happen' when referring to plural nouns that are the subject of the sentence.

Examples:

I have two dogs, which happen to be very friendly.
There are many reasons which happen to explain the situation.

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Rings seek out the nearest set, which happen to be aboard this cargo ship, cloaked or not.
It condemns many members of the Council of Europe which happen also to be EU Member States for gross violations of human rights and identifies eight different violations committed by these States.
I also think the time has come to impose mandatory liability insurance on plants engaged in hazardous activities, which happen to be the plants which are largely responsible for the large industrial disasters of the past 10 years.
When you look through this emerald, you can see things which happen at great distance.
Changes which happen once every thousand years.
- Subjects which happen to capture their passion.
I'm just not stopping her from doing wrong things to me which happen to feel great.
Therefore' there is no cause for worry in any of the things which happen to us.
In history, attempts have been made to contain experiences which happen at the edge of the limit where the mind is vulnerable.
It is no bad thing for us also to remember and emphasise certain things which happen under - I would stress - the existing facilities.
Including 233,377 and 610... ...which happen to be the numbers of the boxes that were stolen.
This should be kept in mind when looking for solutions to the manifold problems which arise around copyright legislations, which happen to differ widely amongst EU Member States.
Is the Council now prepared to consider proposals for reform which happen to be included within the EU Constitutional Treaty?
If you compare how we have been through all the unpleasant events which happen on the market regarding food safety, we can really enhance our institutional comparison and do our best on product safety because in this globalised world we cannot just be an island.
I mentioned at the start of this speech the ongoing everyday accidents which happen at sea, many of which are never reported because many of the vessels involved are so small that they do not warrant attention.
the carriage of machinery or equipment not specified in this Directive and which happen to contain dangerous goods in their internal or operational equipment;
Reference has already been made to accidents which happen on a regular basis, also involving people from third countries who do not carry the paperwork.
This machinery, which is required for open-cast mining, is also used for other types of work not connected with mining such as road-building etc., activities which happen to coincide with the activities of the companies referred to above.
The resolution condemns the presence of foreign armed forces, which happen to be Libyan.
It condemns many members of the Council of Europe which happen also to be EU Member States for gross violations of human rights and identifies eight different violations committed by these States.

Alternatives:

which occur
which take place
which transpire
which come about
which unfold

which happens

This phrase is correct when referring to singular nouns.

Use 'which happens' when referring to singular nouns that are the subject of the sentence.