My phone calls are costing a fortune.

[Son Ho]

There are a group of verbs which are not used in the present continuous tense sus as BE, LOOK, SEEM, FEEL,... One of these verbs is "Cost". I don't understand the meaning of this sentence which is in a book:

A: Have you charge up your mobile?
B: Yes, but i have still got to top it up before i ring Howard.My phone calls are costing a fortune.

what is the meaning of "Are costing" in this situation? Please explain it to me. Thanks in advance.

 

[bhaisahab]

There is no such rule. Please quote the title and author of the book you are referring to.

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think the present continuous here refers to a limited duration according to http://teflpedia.com/Present_progressive
Scroll down to 'The Durative Aspect'.

 

[Tdol]

Some verbs are not usually used in continuous forms, but that doesn't mean that none of them can ever be used in this way. Here, the person is using it to say that the problem with the bills is a current one, suggesting that it has not always been like this.

 

[SoothingDave]

A: Have you charge up your mobile?

Have you charged​ up your mobile?

 

[Son Ho]

There is no such rule. Please quote the title and author of the book you are referring to.

the book " Idioms and Phrasal Verbs" for Intermediate by Ruth Gairns and Stuart Redman ( Oxford). I took it from Unit 16.

 

[Rover_KE]

I'm sure the following didn't come from that book:

There [STRIKE]are[/STRIKE] ​is a group of verbs which are not used in the present continuous tense [STRIKE]sus[/STRIKE] such as BE, LOOK, SEEM, FEEL,... One of these verbs is "[STRIKE]C[/STRIKE]cost".

What makes you think that? There's nothing wrong with

'Hortense is being deliberately evasive.'
'Wally is looking distinguished tonight.'
'Ivan Astikek is feeling under the weather.'
'This car is costing a fortune to tun.'

 

[bhaisahab]

I don't think the following came from that book, either. Certainly not as presented here:
A: Have you charge up your mobile?
B: Yes, but i have still got to top it up before i ring Howard.My phone calls are costing a fortune.

 

[Tdol]

the book " Idioms and Phrasal Verbs" for Intermediate by Ruth Gairns and Stuart Redman ( Oxford). I took it from Unit 16.

To state that these verbs are never used in this form is incorrect- they tend not to be, but to turn that into an absolute rule is overstating things.

 

[Raymott]

There is no such rule. Please quote the title and author of the book you are referring to.

I'd ask for the date as well. Often that gives a clue.