Two oil slicks are covering a total area of seven square miles.

[99bottles]

Two oil slicks are covering a total area of seven square miles.

I found that sentence on Collins. Recently, you told me that cover is a stative verb. So, why is this in present continuous?

 

[emsr2d2]

It's in the continuous because this is an ongoing situation that, hopefully, will change. At the time of writing, it's covering seven square miles. Tomorrow, it might be covering six or eight or twenty. The continuous expresses the ongoing but changeable nature of the situation.

 

[emsr2d2]

Recently, you told me that cover is a stative verb.

I think I've found the post you're referring to. 5jj said "As jutfrank told you, cover is a stative verb in that sentence". The final three words are very relevant!

 

[Tdol]

Stative verbs, like uncountable nouns, can be used in different ways in different contexts- these are not immutable laws of grammar, but descriptions of normal patterns of usage. Oil slicks are not the same as carpets as oil slicks spread while carpets just sit there, except magic ones.