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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

happen to / happen on

i wonder what's the difference in:
- "what happened to you?"
- "what happened on you?"

when do we use "happen to" vs "happen on"?
  

Top answer

What happened to you? —OK. (X) What happened on you?

— Mister Micawber

  • What happened to you?
  • —OK.
  • (X) What happened on you?
  • — Not possible.
  • 'Happen on' occurs in two entirely different contexts: What happened on Tuesday?
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6 Answers
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What happened to you?—OK.
(X) What happened on you?— Not possible.

'Happen on' occurs in two entirely different contexts:

What happened on Tuesday?
I happened on an old friend of mine in a bar.
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"What happened to you?" can be used to ask the cause of something affecting someone, such as the cause of their lateness, the cause of an injury, the cause of an unusual appearance, etc.

"What happened on you?" is not normally correct. It would require a special and unusual context.

"What happened on... ?" can be used in other situations where "on" makes sense, such "What
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Mister MicawberWhat happened on Tuesday?
Must be something about Tuesday!
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thanks!

does it mean that normally "happen on" would not be used on someone?
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Anonymousdoes it mean that normally "happen on" would not be used on someone?
I cannot think of an instance when it is possible in standard English.
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