Basic Details
Word: Happening
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: An event or something that takes place, often something unusual. It is also the -ing form of the verb happen.
Synonyms: event, occurrence, incident
How to Spell Happening
Syllables: hap - pen - ing
Tricky part: The double p comes at the start, but the n stays single before ing. Writers who double the wrong letter end up with hapenning.
Watch out for: happning, hapening, happenning
Memory tip: Think of three neat blocks: hap, pen, ing. Only the first block ends with p, and the second block gives the p its twin.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Strange happenings at the old haveli kept the whole village talking.
Example 2: What is happening in the playground? Everyone is running towards the gate.
Example 3: The school newsletter lists every happening of the month on its back page.
Fun Fact
Since the late 1950s, artists have used 'a happening' for an unplanned art performance in which the audience often takes part.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word happening as used in the sentence:
A peculiar happening at the planetarium left the visitors staring at a blank dome for ten minutes.
a) absence
b) routine
c) occurrence
d) stillness
Show answer
c) occurrence. A happening is something that takes place, which is what occurrence means.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
The kite festival was the biggest pgnenahip of the year in our town.
a) happiness
b) happening
c) hampering
d) sharpening
Show answer
b) happening. Spot happen in the jumble first; the i, n and g left over turn it into happening.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the meaning of the only correctly spelt word:
1. priviledge 2. embarass 3. happening 4. tommorow
a) a special right given to a person or group
b) to make someone feel awkward and ashamed
c) an event; something that takes place
d) the day after today
Show answer
c) an event; something that takes place. Tomorrow has one m and two r's, embarrass doubles both r and s, and privilege has no d; that leaves happening.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these would a local newspaper most likely report as a happening?
a) a page number in a book
b) the spelling of a name
c) a surprise concert in the town square
d) the colour of a school bag
Show answer
c) a surprise concert in the town square
2. Which sentence uses happening as a noun?
a) It is happening again.
b) What is happening here?
c) The fire drill was the main happening of the day.
d) Something is happening outside.
Show answer
c) The fire drill was the main happening of the day.
