has occurred vs had occurred

[Daemon99]

In one of the dictionaries (WordWeb), the meaning of deja vu has been given like this.

deja vu = The experience of thinking that a new situation had occurred before.

Can someone please tell me why past perfect is used instead of present perfect?
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Non-native speaker of English
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I intend to live forever - so far, so good.

[Mister Micawber]

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No good reason; the writer obviously wished to stress the difference in time between the two 'situations', but it is unnecessary, I think.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Carolromancini]

Hi,

Could someone clarify this for me?

"It occurred to me that I forgot your birthday." = I'm letting someone know that I'm suddenly have thought or remembered about something.

"It had occurred to me that I forgot something at the grocery." or "It has occurred to me I forgot my mom's birthday." = I'm saying that I remembered something in a past time. What's the difference between using HAS and HAD ?

I don't get it! :-)

Thank you in advance!

[Mister Micawber]

Hello, Carol - and welcome to English-test.

"It occurred /has occurred to me that I forgot your birthday." = I remembered it before now.

"It had occurred to me that I forgot your birthday." = I remembered it before something else in the past happened: 'It had occurred to me when I saw you sitting alone in that restaurant.'
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Carolromancini]

It's clear now :-)
Thank you Mister Micawber!

[Nick*]

deja vu = The experience of thinking that a new situation had occurred before.

In case the “experience of thinking” is referred to an illusion which is not real, could we still use “had occurred” to such unreal situation similar to the subjunctive mood ?
That is to say, such “experience” has not actually occurred but the illusion makes that as if it had occurred.
I am not so good at grammar, but I just want to know whether it is possible.

Thanks & Regards,

Nick

[Beeesneees]

Hi Nick,

I've noticed the advice you've provided for other learners on this forum and I think your grammar is excellent.
I think your logic in this context holds up and it would be possible to use 'had...'
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Cheers m' dears!

[Nick*]

Thank you very much !

Nick