ocurra

Ocurra is a grammatical form of the Spanish verb ocurrir, used primarily as the present subjunctive in dependent clauses. In practice, occurrences of ocura appear when the event described is hypothetical, uncertain, desired, or subject to doubt, and the subject of the dependent clause is often third person singular or the formal address usted. For example: Es posible que ocurra mañana (It is possible that it happens tomorrow); Espero que ocurra (I hope that it happens).

Form and usage context

Ocurra corresponds to the third-person singular present subjunctive of ocurrir, and it also serves as the formal usted form in the present subjunctive. It is not used as a standalone statement but within subordinate clauses introduced by que or other conjunctions. The imperfect and other subjunctive forms of ocurrir are ocurría, ocurriera, and related variants, but oc urr a specifically marks the present subjunctive. In everyday speech, speakers frequently substitute more common constructions, such as “que pase” or “que ocurra” with modal or adverbial nuances, but oc urr a remains the standard written form.

Etymology

Ocurrir derives from Latin occurrere, meaning to run toward, meet, or happen. The present subjunctive form oc urr a follows regular Spanish conjugation patterns for -ir verbs in the subjunctive mood. The meaning in modern Spanish centers on events that are not yet realized.

See also

Ocurrir, Spanish subjunctive mood, Spanish verb conjugation, Portuguese ocorrer (similar present subjunctive form: ocorra).