'got to know' versus 'learned to know'

[Jestefania]

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #85 "Common English Errors (1)", question 3

After some time, Vince ......... to know the university campus very well.

(a) got
(b) understood
(c) found
(d) learned

English Grammar Tests, Elementary Level

ESL/EFL Test #85 "Common English Errors (1)", answer 3

After some time, Vince got to know the university campus very well.

Correct answer: (a) got

Your answer was: incorrect
After some time, Vince learned to know the university campus very well.
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hi,

why not "learned "?

Jestefania

[Yankee]

Hi

In English you cannot say 'learn to know'. (Are you German? This sounds like a direct translation from German. Unfortunately, it doesn't work in English.)

The phrasal verb 'get to know' means the same thing a 'become acquainted with'.

Amy

[Alan]

Hi Jestefania,

The meaning of 'know' in this expression suggests 'grow familiar with' and that's why 'get' is the appropriate verb here with the idea of 'become', which indicates a slow gradual process and not a conscious activity, which is implied by 'learn'.

A
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Head expressions for you

[Conchita]

Then there is 'come to get to know', which sounds like a very progressive way of getting acquainted.