Occur or happen?

[apneo]

Hi,

What is the difference betwwen occur and happen?

"Nothing will prevent it from happening" or "Nothing will prevent it from occuring".

Which one is correct?

Thanks

 

[PaulQ]

In your example, it is essential to know what "it" is.

A: "I have many weeds in my garden, how can I stop them from occurring?"
A(i): "I have many weeds in my garden, how can I stop them from happening?"

B: "When he sees you with the gun, it will occur to him that you killed John."
B(i): "When he sees you with the gun, it will happen to him that you killed John."

C: "It is almost impossible for an accident to occur."
C(i): "It is almost impossible for an accident to happen."

 

[Parla]

What is the difference between occur and happen?
"Nothing will prevent it from happening." or "Nothing will prevent it from occurring."

I agree with Paul: context is needed. What do you mean by "it"?

 

[apneo]

Thank you PaulQ and Parla.

"it" is the plague.

 

[PaulQ]

Occur is more formal than happen when they are synonyms.

Happen is often, but not always, used for events; occur is often, but not always, used for things and people,

"Nothing will prevent the spread of the plague from happening"
or
"Nothing will prevent a plague from occurring".

 

[apneo]

So happen is always used for accidental events.

 

[PaulQ]

Not always, but mostly, and, as I say, occur is more formal.

 

[apneo]

Thank you PaulQ