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Happens vs Happening - What's the difference?

happens | happening |

As verbs the difference between happens and happening

is that happens is (happen) while happening is .

As an adjective happening is

(slang|of a place) busy, lively; vibrant, dynamic; fashionable.

As a noun happening is

something that happens.

happens

English

Verb

(head)
  • (happen)

    • happen

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To occur or take place.
  • *{{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-28, author=(Joris Luyendijk)
    • , volume=189, issue=3, page=21, magazine=(The Guardian Weekly) , title= Our banks are out of control , passage=Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic who still resists the idea that something drastic needs to happen for him to turn his life around.}}
  • To occur unexpectedly, by chance or with a low probability.
  • To encounter by chance.
  • * 1860 , , The Marble Faun , ch. 30:
    • Unexpectedly, in a nook close by the farmhouse, he happened upon a spot where the vintage had actually commenced.

    Usage notes

    * This is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive . See

    Derived terms

    * as it happens * happen along * happener * happeningly * it so happens

    Related terms

    * * happenstance

    Adverb

    (-)
  • (obsolete or dialect) maybe, perhaps.
    • English catenative verbs 1000 English basic words ----

    happening

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • *{{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-08, volume=407, issue=8839, page=52, magazine=(The Economist)
    • , title= The new masters and commanders , passage=From the ground, Colombo’s port does not look like much.

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (slang, of a place) Busy, lively; vibrant, dynamic; fashionable.
    • This is a happening place tonight!
  • * 2005 , Wendy Lawton, Less is More , page 13,
    • “San Francisco is not exactly the most happening place, you know.”
  • * 2006 , Eliot Greenspan, Neil E. Schlecht, Frommer's Cuba , page 165,
    • When the show ends, the circular, sunken floor is one of the more happening dance clubs in town.
  • * 2011 , Bob Sehlinger, Menasha Ridge, Len Testa, The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2012 , page 157,
    • They're a little noisy if you open your balcony door but otherwise offer a glimpse of one of Disney World's more happening places.
  • (slang, of a person or product) Trendy, up-to-the-minute.
    • He is a real happening guy.
  • * 1987' November 16, Steve Gibson, ''Desktop Publishing, 386-Based Machines, ‘'''Happening ’ Trends at Comdex'', '' , page 42,
    • Every show has its hottest, most happening' trends. If I were to isolate just one for hardware and one for software, this year's hot hardware would be the 386 machines, and the ' happening software would be desktop publishing.
  • * 2009 , Nicola Williams, Oliver Berry, Steve Fallon, France , Lonely Planet, page 883,
    • Going strong since 2006, this ephemeral nightclub (it's open only for 50 nights each year, in July and August) has become the hottest ticket in DJ land, a combination of the most happening names in music and its spectacular setting at the heart of the Palais des Festivals.
  • * 2011 , Nicholas Gill, Christie Pashby, Kristina Schreck, Frommer's Chile & Easter Island , unnumbered page,
    • San Antonio is the newest, tiniest, and most “happening ” wine appellation in Chile, with just four boutique wineries that focus on quality, not quantity, producing fine pinot noir, sauvignon blanc, and syrah.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something that happens.
  • A spontaneous or improvised event, especially one that involves audience participation.

    • See also

    * ("happening" on Wikipedia) English gerunds ----