Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

I should have stopped them then and there. But it never even ______ to me that I should.

occured

The most appropriate option to fill in the blank is occurred.

The word occurred means to happen or to take place. In this context, the sentence is saying that it never even occurred to me that I should stop them. This means that the thought of stopping them did not even cross my mind.

The other options are not as appropriate.

• Suggested means to offer a suggestion. It does not make sense in this context because the thought of stopping them did not come to me as a suggestion.
• Happened means to take place or to occur. It is a bit too informal for this context.
• Reminded means to bring something to someone's attention. It does not make sense in this context because I did not need to be reminded to stop them.