What happen or happened ?

chibe_k · #1 (**permalink**) 11-May-2007, 03:14

When describing an event in the past speech, should I use present or past tense for "happen". Eg,

1. What happen was...
2. What happened was...
3. What happen is ...
4. What happen was ...

Which ones are gramatically correct. Thanks!

HellBoy87 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-May-2007, 03:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by chibe_k

When describing an event in the past speech, should I use present or past tense for "happen". Eg,

1. What happen was...
2. What happened was...
3. What happen is ...
4. What happen was ...

Which ones are gramatically correct. Thanks!

You can say : What happened with your car yesterday? Hope this helps!

**Anglika** · #3 (**permalink**) 11-May-2007, 10:27

When you report an event that is in the past, you use a past tense in the verb:

What happened was that the car had a flat

What happened when he fell over was that he hurt his leg

chibe_k · #4 (**permalink**) 12-May-2007, 06:01

Thanks Anglika for your explanation.

If that is the case, it seems we will never use present tense for "What happen is..." since the sentense always implies it describes an event in the past, right ?

Casiopea · #5 (**permalink**) 12-May-2007, 08:03

Singular: What happens is this.

Plural: What happen is this.

Note that, what is by default singular in number, which is why it takes the singular verb happens, and not its plural form happen.

Does that help?


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