befalls

Befalls is a verb in English, the third-person singular present tense of befall. It means to happen to someone or something, to occur as a consequence or fate. The construction is often used in formal, literary, or historical contexts, for example, “What befalls a man may be beyond his control.” In everyday language, speakers usually say “what happens to” instead.

Etymology and forms: Befall is of Germanic origin, formed from a be- prefix plus fall, with the sense of “to happen to.” The standard conjugation yields befalls (present), befell (simple past), and befallen (past participle). The infinitive is “to befall.” The phrase “to befall upon” is now archaic; in modern usage one would typically say “to happen to” or simply “to befall” in a literary sense.

Usage notes: The verb is relatively rare in contemporary prose and is chiefly employed for emphasis, formality, or a sense of fate or inevitability. It often appears in fixed expressions or stylistic writing, rather than in everyday conversation.

Examples: “What befalls the realm may be reversed by wise leadership.” “A misfortune has befallen him.” Modern paraphrases include “what happens to…” and “what has happened to…” The past tense befell remains primarily encountered in historical or literary texts.