State Verbs

"This shirt costs $50."

"This shirt is costing $50."

Which is correct? Why?

The first sentence - "This shirt costs $50" - is correct because the price of the shirt is fixed; it's a fixed state and therefore we use a state verb, costs.

Costing can not be used for a fixed state because the ...ing means that something is happening now and it will change soon. It would therefore be correct to say "I am buying a shirt" because you are buying it now; soon the action the action will be finished. Likewise, we can not say "I buy a shirt" for a present, temporary, situation. State verbs are used to describe actions which don't change: "I owe you $5" - you either owe someone money or you don't. That's why we can't say "I am owing you $5".

Read through the examples below and choose the correct verb form:

If you want more information on state verbs, try this lesson!

• I ___ two brothers.
  
  am having
  have
  BOTH ARE OK
  
  
• Do you ___ her?
  
  know
  knowing
  BOTH ARE OK
  
  
• She ___ winter to summer.
  
  BOTH ARE OK
  is preferring
  prefers
  
  
• They ___ to music.
  
  are listening
  BOTH ARE OK
  listen
  
  
• I am ___ the paper.
  
  burning
  burn
  BOTH ARE OK
  
  
• I ___ tired.
  
  feel
  BOTH ARE OK
  am feeling
  
  
• What are you ___?
  
  reading
  BOTH ARE OK
  read