Difference between USED TO and HAPPENED TO

Category: English || Published on : 2020-08-10 10:14:32 || Author : TILS EDUCATION 1 1368

In English, there are lots of usages that have alternatives to replace them. It makes English a bit easier when you have many options to use instead of using a single one. But at the same time, having many options make it confusing too, which one is to be used at what place.
Here, in this article, we are going to discuss one such use that has more than one alternative. We are going to discuss about the use of USED TO and HAPPENED TO. Both have the same meaning in Hindi and can replace each other but in a particular situation. Let’s see the difference between both in detail: -

Both USED TO and HAPPENED TO is used to describe something which happened in the past or a regular habit of past. But there is the only difference that differentiates their usage in the English language.

USED TO can be used in any general sentence or situation where something is being described which happened in the past or a regular habit of past whereas HAPPENED TO is used where the sense of proud comes in describing something which happened in the past or a regular habit of past. The sense of pride and fortune is the point where we should use HAPPENED TO in a sentence instead of using USED TO.

Let’s see some examples: -
• I used to watch movies at my friend’s home.
• He didn’t use to confide with anyone.
• He used to read a lot about space and universe.
In above examples these all are general situation where USED TO can be used.
• He happened to work with Amitabh Bachchan Sir.
• He happened to be student of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
• They happened to be a part of ISRO.
In above examples these all are the situation where we feel proud upon. So, here we used HAPPENED TO.
In this article we learnt the difference between USED TO and HAPPENED TO. Hopefully, now you will use these usages with proper meaning and no confusion.