"it happened to me"

[jctgf]

Hi,

I read a post with this expression in/on this forum. At first glance it sounded OK to me but after a second look I started wondering if its usage was correct.

Is it right to say "Suddenly it happened to me that today it's my uncle's birthday and I can't forget to call him!"?

Can I use ''it happened to me'' to mean ''it occurred to me''?

Thanks.

[esltutor]

"Suddenly it happened to me that today it's my uncle's birthday and I can't forget to call him!"?

Hi jctgf,

As a native English speaker and ESL tutor, I would never say "it happened" in this context. You are correct with "it occurred."

Take care,
Debra
http://www.teaching-esl-to-adults.com

[David L.]

"...I happened to remember that..."

"...it occurred to me that..."

[jctgf]

"...I happened to remember that..."

"...it occurred to me that..."

that's precisely how I know these expressions.
thanks again.

[summer rain]

Hi,

I read a post with this expression in/on this forum. At first glance it sounded OK to me but after a second look I started wondering if its usage was correct.

Is it right to say "Suddenly it happened to me that today it's my uncle's birthday and I can't forget to call him!"?

Can I use ''it happened to me'' to mean ''it occurred to me''?

Thanks.

It would be better to say: "It happened to be my uncle's birthday and I forgot to call him".