How often does it/this/that happen

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AlexAD

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Hi

I have a situation where my riding pass got captured by machine (how do you call these machines that you put down your pass they read it, bring it up and open the gate?). Then I asked the transportation employee,

'How often does it happen' and realized that there was a pause I was thinking of using it/that/this :)
So which of these there options would you consider acceptable in the described scenario.

1. How often does it happen?
2. How often does this happen?
3. How often does that happen?

I, personally, would assume that only 1 and 3 are natural, whereas I feel 3 involves more emotions.

Thank you!

AD.
 

Tdol

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If you're talking to them at the time of the problem, then all are possible, though 2 is the most natural for me.
 

AlexAD

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If you could tell any difference between those, that would help me a lot in understanding their fit into that sentence.
If there is no difference, that would confuse me even more..
 

bhaisahab

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If you could tell any difference between those, that would help me a lot in understanding their fit into that sentence.
If there is no difference, that would confuse me even more..

There is no difference in meaning. I agree with Tdol that #2 is the most natural, but I think 3 is more natural than 1.
 

Tdol

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I, personally, would assume that only 1 and 3 are natural, whereas I feel 3 involves more emotions.

If I were very angry and shouting, 3 might be the one I'd use.
 
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