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suceda

soo-SEH-dah

Verb (Conjugated Form)B1regular er

happens?When expressing desire or doubt: 'I hope it happens',occurs?When expressing uncertainty: 'until it occurs'

Also:takes place?Figurative/Formal usage

Quick Reference

infinitivesuceder

gerundsucediendo

past Participlesucedido

📝 In Action

No creo que algo así suceda de nuevo.

I don't think something like that will happen again.

Esperamos que la reunión suceda sin problemas.

We hope the meeting goes smoothly (happens without problems).

Cuando suceda, te llamaré de inmediato.

When it happens, I will call you immediately.

Es crucial que esto no suceda en nuestra guardia.

It is crucial that this doesn't happen on our watch.

Word Connections

Synonyms

ocurra (happens/occurs (subjunctive))
pase (happens/passes (subjunctive))

Common Collocations

lo que suceda – whatever happens
que suceda pronto – that it happens soon

💡 Grammar Points

The Subjunctive Mood

"Suceda" is the special verb form (subjunctive) used when the event is not a confirmed fact, but rather a wish, a doubt, a possibility, or an emotion attached to the action.

Common Triggers

You must use 'suceda' after phrases expressing doubt or feeling, like Espero que... (I hope that...) or Dudo que... (I doubt that...).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the 'Normal' Verb Form

Mistake: "Espero que esto *sucede* pronto. (I hope this happens soon.)"

Correction: Espero que esto *suceda* pronto. (The verb changes form because you are expressing a wish, not a fact.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Impersonal Use

Often, the base verb 'suceder' is used impersonally, meaning it happens to something or it happens, without a specific person doing the action.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: suceda

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'suceda' to express doubt?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

suceder(to happen) - verb

suceso(event/incident) - noun

sucesión(succession) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'suceda' look different from 'sucede'?

'Suceda' is the Subjunctive form, which is used when you are talking about things that are uncertain, desired, or doubtful. 'Sucede' is the Indicative form, used for confirmed facts and definite occurrences.

Can I use 'suceda' in a simple statement without 'que'?

Not usually. 'Suceda' almost always appears in the second part of a sentence, introduced by 'que' (e.g., *Espero que suceda*), because it depends on the emotion or doubt expressed in the first part.