Quote:
Originally Posted by KyleGoetz
I can't completely explain this, but you'll notice this ている vs た shows up a lot when comparing English to Japanese. My understanding is that both are correct expressions in this case, but 消えてる will sound more native and focuses on his status as being disappeared. The other is might be more appropriate when saying "five minutes ago he disappeared" as opposed to a present-sense impression of "he just disappeared [a few moments ago]!"
In this case, the ghost's current status is of being gone, so 消えています. Think about the English: "He is vanished!" (is, not was) versus "He vanished!".
That being said, I am in no way able to know when to take ている over た when creating Japanese sentences myself, nor am I able to offer any lesson as to how to know when to use ている over た in situations like this.
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Thanks alot, KyleGoetz. I always have this problem. For example, I watched this dorama regarding aｎ innocent man being accused of being the murderer of his boss. In the dorama, he keeps saying "やってない" which I thought it supposed to be "やらない". But I am sure I am wrong. Just not sure why is it "やってない".