As it happens means by chance, as luck would have it. It introduces an unexpected fact that suddenly connects to the conversation: As it happens, my neighbour repairs bicycles and could look at yours. Often it's a useful coincidence, sometimes a correction to someone's guess. About the past, say as it happened.
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As it happens, + unexpected fact / As it happened, + past circumstance
- As it happens, my neighbour repairs bicycles and could look at yours.
- I know that village; as it happens, my grandparents lived there.
- As it happened, the last seat was beside someone I knew.
What changed
First versionAs it happen, I have a spare umbrella in my bag.
RevisionAs it happens, I have a spare umbrella in my bag.
In a fixed phrase, happen easily feels frozen, so the ending gets forgotten. But the subject it needs -s: as it happens. With the ending added, the phrase is correct.
By chance describes how something happened: We met by chance. As it happens brings a whole fact into the conversation: As it happens, I know her. And in watch the match as it happens, the words are literal: live, while it's happening.
Your turn
Introduce a useful coincidence: As it ___, I know the building's caretaker.
Show the answer
happens — With the subject it, a present-tense verb takes -s: as it happens. Happen without the ending doesn't agree with it.
A friend is looking for someone to help with Spanish, and your sister teaches it. Say so in one sentence with as it happens.
As it happens, my sister teaches Spanish — I'll ask her.
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