“happen”

To come about or come to pass, often used for events that unfold gradually or are revealed over time.

“No one could have predicted what would transpire in the final hour of the summit.”

Best for: Works well in formal writing, journalism, or any narrative where events unfold with some weight or consequence.

To develop or take place in a gradual, revealing sequence.

“The scandal began to unfold just as the campaign reached its peak.”

Best for: Ideal for storytelling and narrative prose where events reveal themselves progressively.

To become actual or real, especially after being anticipated or doubted.

“The promised revolution never quite materialized, leaving the streets hollow with expectation.”

Best for: Strong when contrasting expectation with reality; suits journalism and fiction alike.

To follow as a consequence or result, typically immediately after something else.

“He slammed the door, and a terrible silence ensued.”

Best for: Best used when one event tightly follows another; punchy and economical in tense scenes.

To occur as an unexpected or additional development, often altering a prior situation.

“A sudden fever supervened, disrupting the careful progress of his recovery.”

Best for: Rare and precise; suits medical, philosophical, or highly formal academic writing.

To result in or come to pass as a final outcome, often after a long process.

“Years of quiet tension eventuated in a single, irreversible decision.”

Best for: Uncommon and somewhat archaic; excellent for literary or formal prose seeking gravitas.