区别辨析happen、occur、chance与take place

happen、occur、chance与take place这些词语都可表示“发生”之意。

happen : 普通用词,泛指一切客观事物或情况的发生,强调动作的偶然性。

  • Anything could happen in the next half hour.
    接下来的半小时内什么事都可能会发生。
  • A funny thing happened in the office today.
    今天,办公室里发生了一件有趣的事。
  • I don't want to think about what might have happened if he'd been driving any faster.
    我不愿意去想假如他再开快些会怎么样。

occur : 较正式用词,可指意外地发生,也可指意料中的发生。

  • An accident involving over ten vehicles has occurred in the east-bound lane.
    在东向车道上发生了一起涉及十多辆汽车的交通事故。
  • If any of these symptoms occur while you are taking the medication, consult your doctor immediately.
    服药期间如果产生了这些症状中的任何一种,要立即就医。

chance : 侧重事前无安排或无准备而发生的事,特指巧合。

  • They chanced to be in the restaurant when I arrived.
    我到的时候他们正好在餐馆里。
  • I chanced on/upon (= found unexpectedly) some old love letters in a drawer.
    我偶然在抽屉里发现了一些旧情书。

take place : 多指通过人为安排的发生。

  • The concert takes place next Thursday.
    音乐会下星期四举行。