Some English "action" verbs refer to events or actions that happen at a specific time, usually only once. These verbs
cannot be used with "how long" or expressions of duration. "Status" verbs must be used to indicate conditions which exist over periods of time.
Action/Event
(one time occurrence) (present or past)
become
get married
get engaged
get divorced
graduate
die
meet
learn
find out
buy/purchase
get/aquire
fall asleep
fall in love
Status/Condition
(long time) (present or present
perfect)
be
be married
be engaged
be divorced
be out of school
be dead
know
know
know
have
have/own
be asleep
be in love
For example:
I got
married last May.
I was single last April.
I am married now.
How long have you gotten married?
How long have you been
married?
I met Mr. Carter last week.
I have met Mr. Carter for one week.
I have known Mr.
Carter for one week.
Nathan became a doctor in 1998.
Nathan has become a doctor for two years.
Nathan has been a
doctor for two years.
I graduated last August.
How long have you graduated?
How long have you been
out of school?
The baby fell asleep two hours ago.
The baby has fallen asleep for two hours.
The baby has been
asleep for two hours
I found out the news yesterday.
I have found out the news since yesterday.
I have known the news since yesterday.
(The ceremony occurred
last May.)
(Status previous to last May)
(Current status)
(Wrong!)
(Correct)
(We saw each other the first time.)
(Wrong! I only met him once.)
(Correct)
(That's when he received his degree.)
(Wrong!)
(Correct)
(That's when the ceremony occurred.)
(Wrong!)
(Correct)
(Changed from "awake" to "asleep")
(Wrong!)
(Correct)
(Specific time)
(Wrong!)
(Correct)
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