SEMANTIC VERB PAIRS

FELTAP:
Some verbs can be used to express
an action, others to express status or
condition. These verbs often come in
pairs and are usually mutually
exclusive . One is used to indicate a
single occurrence, while the other
indicates a situation which is or has
been in existence for a long period of
time. See examples below.
Action
I met John last September .
I got married in June.
Status /condition .
I have known him since last
September .
( Not : I have met John since
September .)
I have been married for one month.
( Not : I have gotten married for one
month .)
Some common semantic verb pairs
are as follows:
Action
( When did you . . . ?)
Meet
Arrive
Become
Graduate
Learn
Hear about
Find out
Put on
Get dressed
Get married
Get engaged
Get divorced
Go to sleep / Fall asleep
Fall in love
Wake up /Get up
Catch fire
Status /condition
( How long have you . . " past
participle " . . . ?)
know
be (here )
be
be (a graduate / out of school )
know
know / be aware of
know / be aware of
wear
be dressed
be married
be engaged
be divorced
be asleep
be in love
be up/ awake
be on fire
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