ENGLISH
REFERENCE

weighs

v.
A2 Elementary US //ˈweɪz// UK //wˈeɪz// weighs

v. to measure how heavy something or someone is. You also use this to say how much weight a person or object has.

v. to determine the mass or heaviness of an object; to have a specific weight. Often used transitively when measuring and intransitively when stating a value.


SIMPLE

The doctor weighs the baby every month.

CONTEXTUAL

The clerk weighs the package carefully to calculate the correct shipping cost for the customer.

COMPLEX

The architect carefully weighs the structural load of the roof against the strength of the supporting columns to ensure the building remains stable during heavy snowfall.

Synonyms
Usage

When stating a weight, the verb is stative and typically does not take the continuous form ('it weighs' rather than 'it is weighing').

Pitfall

The box is weighing five kilos.The box weighs five kilos.When describing a permanent state of weight, use the present simple instead of the present continuous.

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