 Action versus Status 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. Some common action status pairs are as follows. Action or event, one-time occurrence, usually past or future tense. Status or condition, long time, present or present perfect. Become, be. Get married, be married. Get engaged, be engaged. Get divorced, be divorced. Graduate, be out of school. Die, be dead. Meet, know. Learn, know. Find out, know. Buy or purchase, have. Get or acquire, have or own. Fall asleep, be asleep. Fall in love, be in love. For example, I got married last May. The ceremony occurred last May. I was single last April. Status, previous to last May. I am married now. Current status. I met Mr. Carter last week. We saw each other for the first time. Nathan became a doctor in 1998. That's when he received his degree. I graduated last August. That's when the ceremony occurred. The baby fell asleep two hours ago. Changed from awake to asleep. I found out the news yesterday. Specific time.