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