ocurre

Ocurre is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Spanish verb ocurrir, meaning “to occur” or “to happen.” It is used to indicate that a fact, event, or situation takes place, and it can appear in impersonal constructions or in clauses that specify what happens. Common uses include constructions with puede ocurrir (it can happen) and lo que ocurre (what happens).

Etymology and sense: Occurrir derives from Latin occurrere, which carried senses like “to meet” or “to occur.” In modern Spanish, ocurrir covers events, incidents, or phenomena that come into being or become known. The form occurs when the subject is singular as in “Ayer ocurrió un accidente” (Yesterday an accident occurred) or in generic statements such as “Puede ocurrir en cualquier momento.”

Grammar notes: Ocurre is typically preferred when the subject is an unnamed situation or when the sentence centers on the fact that something takes place. The related reflexive form ocurrirse, as in “se me ocurre,” means “it occurs to me” or “I just thought of,” highlighting a mental occurrence rather than a physical event. Other forms of ocurrir—ocurren, ocurrimos, ocurre—are used to agree with different grammatical persons.

Usage distinctions: Occurrir often emphasizes events or happenings, while sin alma ofrece sin ánimo? No. More neutrally, synonyms include suceder, acontecer, and tener lugar, though each carries subtle nuance about sequence, significance, or formality.

See also: ocurrencia, ocurrir, ocurrir en español.