"get worried" vs "get worrying"

[Ofriendragon]

Laws that punish parents for their little children’s actions against the laws get parents _____.

A. worried
B. to worry
C. worrying
D. worry

The answer is A

I often read of get something done / get something doing. Could you tell me what's the difference between A and C here? Or simply, could C be possible?

Many many thanks in advance.

[Alan]

Hi,

'Get' in the sense you are suggesting is required when you get someone to act for you as in:

She got the house painted.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Subjunctive

[Ofriendragon]

Thank you, but I am sorry I haven't quite followed you.

Laws get parents worried. (I understand that parents are worried.)

Laws get parents worrying. (?) ( Doesn't it mean parents begin to worry/ or are worrying?)

[Alan]

Hi,

It would be unusual to use 'get+worrying'. The usual construction would be: 'get+worried' as in the expression: You've really got me worried. When 'get' is used with the 'ing' form, it is usually more concerned with an activity/process as in: Let's get things moving/They got me doing all sorts of jobs/She's got 30 people working for her. If you wanted to use 'worrying' I think you need to turn this into some sort of 'activity' rather than simply a state of 'being worried'. I would think this is acceptable:

Now that you've mentioned that, you've got me worrying about the additional costs.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Head expressions for you

[Ofriendragon]

Many many thanks!