3.11: BE and GET WITH PAST PARTICIPLES
- Page ID
- 361014
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Using "BE" and "GET" with Past Participles
Overview: BE vs GET with Past Participles
| Construction Type | Structure | Usage & Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| BE + Past Participle (Passive Voice) |
Subject + be + past participle (+ by agent) | Formal passive voice. Focus on the action or result. Often used in academic, formal, or written contexts. | The letter was delivered yesterday. These projects are completed by a team of experts. The building will be demolished next month. |
| GET + Past Participle (Dynamic Passive/Causative) |
Subject + get + past participle | More informal and dynamic. Shows process, change, or personal involvement. Often implies effort or causation. | I got promoted last week. The car got damaged in the accident. We need to get organized for the meeting. |
Detailed Comparison: When to Use Each Form
| Aspect | BE + Past Participle | GET + Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| Formality | More formal, neutral tone
"The report was submitted on time."
|
More informal, conversational
"I got hired for the position!"
|
| Agency | Focus on the action or state
"The window was broken."
|
Often implies personal involvement or effort
"She got accepted to university."
|
| Process vs State | Emphasizes state or completed action
"The door is locked."
|
Emphasizes process or change
"The door got locked during the storm."
|
| Emotional Tone | Neutral, objective
"The package was lost in transit."
|
Often suggests personal concern or involvement
"My package got lost!"
|
| Typical Contexts | Academic writing, news reports, formal announcements
"The study was conducted over six months."
|
Spoken English, personal experiences, informal writing
"I got confused by the instructions."
|
Common Verbs Used with Each Construction
| Category | Commonly with BE | Commonly with GET |
|---|---|---|
| Work/Professional | be employed, be appointed, be assigned, be promoted, be transferred | get hired, get fired, get promoted, get transferred, get paid |
| Emotions/States | be surprised, be disappointed, be impressed, be satisfied, be concerned | get excited, get annoyed, get worried, get confused, get tired |
| Physical Actions | be damaged, be repaired, be built, be destroyed, be created | get fixed, get damaged, get hurt, get dressed |
| Life Events | be born, be educated, be married, be divorced, be buried | get married, get divorced, get engaged, get pregnant, get sick |
| Communication | be told, be informed, be notified, be advised, be warned | get told off, get criticized, get praised, get blamed, get caught |
Practice Examples with Explanations
| Situation | BE + Past Participle | GET + Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| Car Accident | "My daughter's car was damaged when I saw it." (Neutral report of facts) |
"My car got damaged when someone hit it!" (Personal involvement, emotional tone) |
| Job Interview | "Candidates are selected based on qualifications." (Formal process description) |
"I got selected for the final interview!" (Personal achievement, excitement) |
| House Renovation | "The kitchen was renovated last year." (Statement of fact) |
"We got the kitchen renovated last year." (Active involvement in arranging the work) |
| Weather Damage | "Several trees were knocked down by the storm." (News report style) |
"Our fence got knocked down in the storm." (Personal experience) |
| Academic Result | "The research was published in a scientific journal." (Formal academic context) |
"My paper got published!" (Personal achievement, informal) |
Special Case: "Married" - Adjective vs. Action
The word "married" can work as both an adjective and as part of a passive construction, which sometimes creates confusion for English learners. Let's look at some examples:
As an adjective (describing a state):
• "Gwen Stefani is married." (She is in the state of being married)
• "Gwen Stefani is a married woman." (Here "married" clearly describes her status)
Using BE + married (formal passive - can be confusing):
• "Gwen Stefani was married in 2021."
This sentence can have two different meanings for native speakers:
• "Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton got married in 2021." (Clear action - the wedding happened)
• "Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale got divorced in 2016 after 14 years of marriage." (Clear action - the divorce happened)
Making BE + married clearer with context:
• "Gwen Stefani was married to Blake Shelton in 2021, and they are still happily married today."
Remember: "Get married" and "get divorced" are much more natural in everyday English because they clearly show actions happening, while "be married" often describes a current state.
The word "married" can work as both an adjective and as part of a passive construction, which sometimes creates confusion for English learners. Let's look at some examples:
As an adjective (describing a state):
• "Gwen Stefani is married." (She is in the state of being married)
• "Gwen Stefani is a married woman." (Here "married" clearly describes her status)
Using BE + married (formal passive - can be confusing):
• "Gwen Stefani was married in 2021."
This sentence can have two different meanings for native speakers:
- More common interpretation: She got married in 2021 but might not be married anymore (sounds like she could be divorced now)
- Less common interpretation: Her wedding took place in 2021 and she is still married today
• "Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton got married in 2021." (Clear action - the wedding happened)
• "Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale got divorced in 2016 after 14 years of marriage." (Clear action - the divorce happened)
Making BE + married clearer with context:
• "Gwen Stefani was married to Blake Shelton in 2021, and they are still happily married today."
Remember: "Get married" and "get divorced" are much more natural in everyday English because they clearly show actions happening, while "be married" often describes a current state.