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Reflexive verbs and corresponding adjective phrases

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LFD1988
March 31, 2014, 02:34 PM
I was curious to know if there is a difference between some reflexive verbs (which I am just now starting to study) and adjectives that resemble them.

For example:

"Él está enojado con su madre." VS "Él se enoja con su madre."

"María está preocupada por sus notas." VS "María se preocupa por sus notas."

Can each of these phrases be used interchangeably, whether you are using a reflexive verb phrase or an adjective phrase, or are there situations where one is preferable over the other?

Rusty
March 31, 2014, 03:19 PM
One is a state, the other is a statement (describing an action).
These aren't interchangeable.

"He is mad at his mother." (state) vs. "He is getting angry with his mother." (action)
"Mary is worried about her grades." (state) vs. "Mary is worrying about her grades." (action)

LFD1988
March 31, 2014, 04:48 PM
One is a state, the other is a statement (describing an action).
These aren't interchangeable.

"He is mad at his mother." (state) vs. "He is getting angry with his mother." (action)
"Mary is worried about her grades." (state) vs. "Mary is worrying about her grades." (action)

Thank you! :D When you put it that way (State vs. Action), it makes a lot more sense. :)