occur and happen

Question

What's the difference between occur and happen?

Mostly they have the same meaning, but somehow I think there's still a subtle difference between them?

Could you please give me some examples?

Thanks for your elucidating.

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

synonyms CHANCE, OCCUR, TRANSPIRE, BEFALL, BETIDE:

happen is a general term without special connotation and signifies to take place either with or without plan, motivation, or apparent or assignable cause.

OCCUR, often interchangeable with HAPPEN, has the additional meaning of be found, be met with, exist, may more strongly suggest an event which commands attention or consideration, and is more frequent than HAPPEN with negatives <a sluggish, smoke-colored animal, occurring in shallow swamp waters -- L.P.Schultz> <a bismuth bearing vein occurs on Charley Creek -- Encyc. Americana> <when once a certain detachment from possessive vice and objective ambition has occurred in the mind -- J.C.Powys> <this is possible in theory, but, actually, never seemed to occur -- V.G.Heiser>

(26 Oct. 2006).

occur and happen

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