固定词组take place，意为发生，举行，多指举行活动，发生某事(可指发生好事或不好的事)；happen多指发生意外事故，不幸的事。

　　(1)The opening of the play will take place tomorrow night. 首映将于明晚举行。(take place不能用happen换)

　　(2)The accident took place only a block from my home. 事故发生地离我家只一个街区。(took place可用happened换)

　　动词happen和take place只用作不及物，不能用被动语态。

　　(1)The car accident happened last week. 交通事故发生在上星期。

　　不能说：The car accident was happened last week.

　　(2) The war broke out in October. 战争于10月份爆发。

　　不能说：The war was broken out in October.

　　其他用法：

　　1. happen to do 意思是：碰巧

　　It happened to be a fine one that day.

　　那天碰巧天气好。

　　2. It happens that...后接从句，意思也是碰巧。

　　It happens that his sister is a closed friend of mine.

　　碰巧她姐姐是我的一个好朋友。