to occur / take place
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to occur / take place
To take place, happen, or be carried out. It is a formal word that is often used in administrative and written language and implies a planned or logical process.
Die Lieferung der Ware erfolgt innerhalb von drei Werktagen.
Delivery of the goods takes place within three business days.
'Erfolgen' (to occur / take place) is a formal word and is mainly used in written language, in official documents, or in the news. In everyday spoken language, it often sounds unnatural or stiff.
Die Auszahlung des Gewinns erfolgt in den nächsten Tagen.
Payment of the prize money will take place in the next few days.
'Erfolgen' (to occur / take place) is an inseparable verb derived from 'folgen' (to follow). The prefix 'er-' is firmly attached to the stem. The meaning 'geschehen' (to happen) comes from the idea that an action follows something else as a logical consequence.
Nach der Bestellung erfolgte die Bestätigung per E-Mail.
After the order, the confirmation followed by email.
'Erfolgen' (to occur / take place) is an intransitive verb and never has an accusative object. The thing that happens is always the subject of the sentence.
Der Versand der Ware erfolgt morgen.
Shipment of the goods will take place tomorrow.
to happen / pass
'passieren' and 'erfolgen' can both express that something takes place. The difference is mainly in the style and in the type of event. 'passieren' is used in everyday language for events, often also for things that are unplanned or sudden. 'erfolgen' sounds formal and is more suitable for official, planned, or regulated processes, for example with payments, exams, or inspections. Learners can confuse the words because both can mean 'to take place'. But in normal conversations, 'erfolgen' often sounds too bureaucratic.
Die Anmeldung erfolgt morgen über ein Online-Formular.
Registration will take place tomorrow via an online form.
Auf dem Weg zur Arbeit ist mir heute ein kleiner Fehler passiert.
On my way to work today, I made a small mistake.