Complete Guide to Using “It occurred to me that + (subject + verb)” in English

The phrase “It occurred to me that + subject + verb” is used to express a sudden realization or thought that came to your mind. This construction helps convey moments of insight or remembrance.

“It occurred to me that” Usage Examples

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation
1	It occurred to me that I forgot your birthday.	मुझे अहसास हुआ कि मैं आपका जन्मदिन भूल गया/गई।
2	It occurred to me that we both belong to the same gym.	मुझे ख्याल आया कि हम दोनों एक ही जिम के सदस्य हैं।
3	It occurred to me that we enjoy a lot of the same things.	मुझे एहसास हुआ कि हम दोनों को एक जैसी चीज़ें पसंद हैं।
4	It occurred to me that homes are more expensive here.	मुझे अचानक समझ आया कि यहाँ घर ज़्यादा महंगे हैं।
5	It occurred to me that eating healthy makes me feel better.	मुझे याद आया कि स्वस्थ खाने से मैं बेहतर महसूस करता/करती हूँ।
6	It occurred to me that I never thanked you properly.	मुझे एहसास हुआ कि मैंने आपको ठीक से धन्यवाद नहीं दिया।
7	It occurred to me that we’ve met before.	मुझे याद आया कि हम पहले मिल चुके हैं।
8	It occurred to me that I left the stove on.	मुझे अचानक याद आया कि मैंने चूल्हा चालू छोड़ दिया था।
9	It occurred to me that today is our anniversary.	मुझे याद आया कि आज हमारी सालगिरह है।
10	It occurred to me that I haven’t called my mother this week.	मुझे एहसास हुआ कि मैंने इस हफ्ते अपनी माँ को फोन नहीं किया।

Past Tense Variations with “had” and “has”

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation
1	It had occurred to me that I forgot something at the grocery.	मुझे यह ख्याल आया था कि मैं किराने की दुकान पर कुछ भूल आया/आई।
2	It had occurred to me I might need to change my email address.	मुझे यह ख्याल आया था कि शायद मुझे अपना ईमेल बदलने की ज़रूरत है।
3	It has occurred to me I forgot my mom’s birthday.	मुझे यह एहसास हुआ है कि मैं अपनी माँ का जन्मदिन भूल गया/गई।
4	It has occurred to me before.	मुझे यह पहले भी ख्याल आया है।
5	It had occurred to me that we should leave early.	मुझे यह ख्याल आया था कि हमें जल्दी निकलना चाहिए।

Alternative Expressions

Sno	English Example	Hindi Translation
1	I just realized that we’re out of milk.	मुझे अभी एहसास हुआ कि हमारे पास दूध खत्म हो गया है।
2	It dawned on me that I was wrong.	मुझे समझ आया कि मैं गलत था/थी।
3	I suddenly remembered about the meeting.	मुझे अचानक मीटिंग की याद आई।

Key Grammar Rules

• Structure:
  • “It occurred to me that” + subject + verb
  • ✅ Correct: “It occurred to me that I was late.”
  • ❌ Incorrect: “It occurred me that I was late.”
• Tense Variations:
  • Present perfect: “It has occurred to me that…”
  • Past perfect: “It had occurred to me that…”
  • Future: “It will occur to me that…” (rare)
• Question Form:
  • “Has it occurred to you that…?”
  • Example: “Has it occurred to you that we might be wrong?”

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ “It occur to me that I made mistake.”
✅ “It occurred to me that I made a mistake.” (Correct tense and article)

❌ “It occurred me that we should go.”
✅ “It occurred to me that we should go.” (Preposition “to” required)

❌ “It’s occurred to me that she’s lying.”
✅ “It has occurred to me that she’s lying.” (Correct auxiliary verb)

Cultural Usage Notes

• Self-Realizations:
  • Often used for personal insights (“It occurred to me that I’m unhappy”)
• Problem-Solving:
  • Useful for sudden solutions (“It occurred to me that we could try another way”)
• Indian English Note:
  • Sometimes “I realized” is used more frequently than “it occurred to me”
  • Example: “I realized I forgot my keys” vs “It occurred to me that I forgot my keys”