"desarrollarse" as meaning "to take place"

Question

In the SpanDict, one of the possible meanings of "desarrollarse" is "to take place." However, is it possible that "to take place" doesn't always work when, for example, referring to a single event that takes place for an instant, that does not, in any sense, "develop" or "unfold"?

In other words, it sounds correct to say, "fue un accidente" or "se produjo un accidente" to mean there was an accident, I.e., an accident took place. But there seems something odd about saying "se desarrolló un accidente."

One of the examples in SpanDict is this:" La acción de la película se desarrolla en Roma." Here, the action that took place was an action that entailed a process, a development if you will, so I can see how "se desarrolla" works in that sentence to mean "takes place."

But to say an accident took place is different. There is no process involved, no development. So would "un accidente se desarrolló" be correct?

Some expressions are not to be used in a general wan as a translation. I think your process of discernment is good here. Always keep in mind the basic meaning taking into account its usage as verb, noun, adjective, etc. - Jubilado, Jun 5, 2014

Please tell me, where did you see this example in SpanishDict, Ron? Were you aware that not all sentences used have been checked for accuracy by natives or advanced users so may have some errors ? - FELIZ77, Jun 5, 2014

I believ ethat sentences and phrases have to be checked in order to be accepted into the Phrase book but there may be a back log , I am still waiting to have a few of mine checked However, sentences written on other threads by non native may have errors. - FELIZ77, Jun 5, 2014

Answer 1

So would "un accidente se desarrolló" be correct?

Maybe there is a region that uses desarollarse in this manner, but to me this is an incorrect usage. An accident happens suddenly.

Answer 2

Hello Ron,

I have never seen desarollar used in that way before but I am not saying that it is necessarily right or wrong.

When I researched this expression some time ago I found that there was no one way of saying: to take place: like most other expressions, it is context dependent! In other words, it really depends on what you want to say , as how how you say it:

One way of saying to take place is: tener lugar La fiesta tuvo lugar en el parque Retiro. = The party took place in the Retiro Park.

You can also use the verb: celebrarse

eg: La reunión se celebro en Caracas = The meeting was held/or took place in Caracas (Example, courtesy of Oxford Spanish Dictionary (4th Edition)

Regarding an accident, I agree with Julian that accidents happen suddenly ...they don't really develop although circumstances leading up to the accident may seem to develop...accidents happen suddenly/quickly!

Hay = there is /are from auxiliary verb haber = to have, but it is used to mean there is = Hay and there was:había (imperfect) and hube (preterite/simple past)

Here is an example that I have made up which might help:

Hube un accidente cerca del hospital anoche cuando, de repente y inesperadamente, dos coches chocaron con un autobús. ¡Afortunadamente, no hubo heridos!

= There was an accident near the hospital last night when two cars suddenly and unexpectedly collided with a bus. Fortunately, there were no casualties!

I hope this helps

Corrijan mi español, por favor