What does occur mean?
Word: Occur
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: Occur means to happen, often without anyone planning it.
Synonyms: happen
How do you spell occur?
Syllables: oc - cur
Tricky part: Most children write only one c at the start. The word needs a pair of them, even though you hear just one k sound.
Watch out for: ocur, ockur
Memory tip: Say 'things occur by Complete Chance'. The two capital letters stand for the pair at the start of the word.
Occur in a sentence
Example 1: Mistakes often occur when we rush through a sum.
Example 2: Solar eclipses do not occur every month.
Example 3: Heavy showers can occur at any time during the monsoon in Mumbai.
Fun Fact
Occur comes from a Latin verb meaning 'to run to meet', so, in a way, something that occurs runs up to meet you.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
occ__
a) er
b) or
c) ur
d) ar
Show answer
c) ur. This ending is spelt as it is in fur and blur, not as it is in her.
Word Fusion
Add the correct option to the following to make a new word:
occur_____
a) ence
b) rence
c) ance
d) rance
Show answer
b) rence. The r doubles before this ending, and the new word names something that happens.
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
ucroc
a) to take place
b) to look after
c) to join together
d) to put in order
Show answer
a) to take place. These five letters, with their two c's, make a verb about events, so the other three meanings do not belong.
Sound Check
Which of the following words rhymes with occur?
a) explore
b) prefer
c) repair
d) appear
Show answer
b) prefer. Both words are stressed on the same vowel sound at the end, although their spellings differ.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What can occur on a stormy evening?
a) a power cut
b) a wooden chair
c) a green mango
d) a school bag
Show answer
a) a power cut
2. Riya says, 'It did not occur to me to carry an umbrella.' What does she mean?
a) She did not find it
b) She did not own one
c) She did not think of it
d) She did not like it
Show answer
c) She did not think of it
