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"Suceder" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to happen", and "acontecer" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to take place". Learn more about the difference between "suceder" and "acontecer" below.
suceder(
soo
-
seh
-
dehr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to occur)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to follow)
b. to follow
Una noche de celebración desenfrenada sucedió a la solemnidad de la graduación.A night of unbridled celebration followed the graduation ceremony.
sucederse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
3. (events)
a. to follow one after another
Se sucedieron muchos eventos trascendentales en España durante el siglo XV.Many monumental events followed one after another in Spain during the 15th century.
acontecer(
ah
-
kohn
-
teh
-
sehr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to take place
Estos trágicos sucesos acontecieron el 3 de octubre de 1998.These tragic events took place on October 3rd, 1998.
b. to happen
Vivimos en un mundo cambiante, en el que es difícil vislumbrar lo que va a acontecer.We live in a changing world, where it is difficult to discern what will happen.
c. to occur
El accidente aconteció cuando el vehículo patinó en el hielo.The accident occurred when the vehicle skidded on the ice.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. events
Nos gusta mantenernos informados del acontecer internacional.We like to keep up to date with international events.
