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How to explain "get on" and "ride"?

Posted by tmrevolution · August 14, 2006 · 6 replies

All of my students are Japanese, and I have a hard time explaining to them the difference between verbs such as "get on" and "ride". Some other ones are "fall asleep" and "sleep" as well as "put on" and "wear". I know the former ones are more actions, while the later ones are more states, but that explanation isn't so clear. Does anyone have any advice?

6 Replies

I usually explain to them by miming the actions and I have a little diagram

_________|___________|---->
______put on____|
______________wear

I explain that put on is a one time action and afterwards they are wearing the item.

Same can be done for 'get in' and 'ride.' I get in at A and then ride to B where I get out.

I hope that helps

My easy way to explain is

put on = start to wear
get on = start to ride
fall asleep = start to sleep

Another one is 'get up' and 'wake up' - some languages do not distinguish between these.

emile wrote:put on = start to wear
get on = start to ride
fall asleep = start to sleep

I like that. I'm going to 'borrow' it. 😃

You're welcome.

It's just one of those little devices that helps you out when the students have tricky questions

great explanation, emile!
and i love the diagram, mesmark. how long did that take to make?

Eric wrote:great explanation, emile!
and i love the diagram, mesmark. how long did that take to make?

highlight the text and you'll see what I did. I first just made the little diagram and after changed the colors.

To get rid of the underbars and make the text appear to float, just make the underbars white 😃