UNIT 13: CHANGING THE VERB TO SHOW DURATION

1. I met her boss at the party. 2. I joined the gym yesterday. 3. We bought a new Volkswagen. 4. He got sick. 5. I borrowed some money from the bank. 6. She found out that he had another girlfriend, too.

In simple past, the meaning of the verbs above includes the beginning and end of one event. After this event happens, it doesnt continue. Its action is completed. In simple past, these verbs can only express completed action; they cannot express duration (the continuation of an event, duracin, , ) . To talk about duration, you must use the present perfect and change to a different verb that can express continuation. Consider the following examples:

7. When did you meet him? How long have you met him? 8. When did you join the gym? How long have you joined the gym? 9. When did you buy your car? How long have you bought your car? 10. When did you get sick? How long have you gotten sick?

Duration

How long have you known him? How long have you belonged to the gym? How long have you had/owned your new car? How long have you been sick?

In #7 above, I can only meet a particular person one time. After that, I know the person. I can continue knowing a person, but I cant keep meeting him. In #8, I dont join, and then keep joining. After I join, I belong to the gym. I can continue belonging to the gym. Notice how the following verbs change:
Completed Action: Duration: Completed Action:

join find out, learn meet someone borrow

belong to know know someone owe (not own!)

get (= buy, obtain) get (= become) get (= receive)

Duration: have, own, possess be have

As always, pay close attention to the differences between present perfect and past: 11. a. When did you find out your son was gay? (Completed. I only found out one time.) b. I found out a couple of years ago. (One event. Its over. Use simple past.) 12. a. How long have you known your son was gay? (Duration. Knowing continues.) b. Ive known for a couple of years. (I still know it.) 13. a. When did you borrow money from him? (Completed. I did it once.) b. I borrowed money from him six months ago. (One event. Use simple past.) 14. a. How long have you owed him money? (Duration) b. Ive owed him money for about six months. (I still owe it.) (continued on the other side)

Book4ClassSetAW07-2 Roland Trego revised 11/24/2013 4:56 PM

Note: Although verbs such as join, find out, and meet change to express the duration of one event (e.g., join belong to), they dont change to a different verb when describing repeated events in a time period that continues to the present: 15. How many single women have you met so far this evening? How many single women have you known so far this evening? Wrong! Im at a party. The party started at 8:30 p.m. Its 10:30 now. I met a woman named Patricia at 9:00. I met a woman named Julie at 9:30. I met one named Angie at 10:00. Ive met three woman this evening. 16. She has joined three organizations in the last six months. She has belonged to three organizations in the last six months. She has joined three organizations in the last six months. (repeated events)
joined the SPCA Jan. 3 January
6 months ago

joined the PTA Feb. 28 February March

5 months ago 4 months ago

April

joined the Sierra Club May 12 May June

July (now)

3 months ago 2 months ago a month ago

the last six months

Above, the time period continues (starting six months ago and continuing up to now), not each event.
SPCA: The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals PTA: The Parent-Teachers Association Sierra Club: An organization that works to protect and preserve nature (forests, water, mounta mountains, ins, wildlife, etc.) and keep people from destroying it.

Wrong: How long did you join find out learn meet borrow buy obtain receive get

How long have you

belonged to known owed had owned

Book4ClassSetAW07-2 Roland Trego revised 11/24/2013 4:56 PM