When to use “have” and “have got”





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When do I use have and have got?



Are "I have the answer" and "I've got the answer" both correct?










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    Related.
    – Kosmonaut
    Feb 9 '11 at 20:57

















up vote
13
down vote

favorite
5












When do I use have and have got?



Are "I have the answer" and "I've got the answer" both correct?










share|improve this question




















  • 1




    Related.
    – Kosmonaut
    Feb 9 '11 at 20:57













up vote
13
down vote

favorite
5









up vote
13
down vote

favorite
5






5





When do I use have and have got?



Are "I have the answer" and "I've got the answer" both correct?










share|improve this question















When do I use have and have got?



Are "I have the answer" and "I've got the answer" both correct?







word-choice grammaticality verbs have-got






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edited Oct 11 '12 at 9:19









RegDwigнt

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82.4k31281376










asked Feb 9 '11 at 19:26









Raphael

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198227








  • 1




    Related.
    – Kosmonaut
    Feb 9 '11 at 20:57














  • 1




    Related.
    – Kosmonaut
    Feb 9 '11 at 20:57








1




1




Related.
– Kosmonaut
Feb 9 '11 at 20:57




Related.
– Kosmonaut
Feb 9 '11 at 20:57










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
9
down vote



accepted











I have the answer




sounds more formal and somber, and it is often used as a statement of fact or as a direct response to the questions: Do you have the answer? Who has the answer? etc.




I've got the answer/I have got the answer




is more of an eureka moment remark, something one is likely to hear often in such a place as a college physics common room where students are bashing heads on seemingly intractable problems.



The have got construction is more of a Britishism. In the US, one would be more likely to hear:




I got the answer/Got the answer







share|improve this answer





















  • Is "I've the answer" considered grammatical?
    – Pacerier
    May 13 '12 at 21:33










  • I've the answer is grammatical but certainly not colloquial, i.e. it is an expression you would definitely not hear from a native speaker. The contraction I've usually precedes the past participle, e.g. I've been, I've had, I've seen, I've taken, etc. In this case, I've got the answer is more natural. So is I have the answer.
    – Jimi Oke
    May 13 '12 at 23:27










  • Thanks for the reply =) Btw, if what I wanted to say is that "I have a habit presently", is there a difference in meaning between saying "I've got a habit of something" and "I've a habit of something"? (is the second one colloquial?)
    – Pacerier
    May 13 '12 at 23:35












  • No difference. The I've got... is more of a British construction, really. I've a habit of... would certainly be considered colloquial, depending on where you are, though it's not a construction I use often... If one is speaking fast enough, that could be tough. I'm in the habit of... is something I'm more likely to say, but that's just me. But in this case, both are certainly correct and sound natural.
    – Jimi Oke
    May 13 '12 at 23:47










  • But isn't "I'm in the habit of collecting stamps." odd-sounding?
    – Pacerier
    May 14 '12 at 0:25


















up vote
10
down vote













"Have got" is certainly more informal. So if you never use "have got", you will be fine. However, if you want to use "have got", this is how it works.



Have and "have got" are sometimes interchangeable and sometimes not.



When have is being used as a modal verb (or helper verb), then you cannot use "have got".





  • I have been there before.

  • *I have got been there before. (wrong)




When have is being used as a main verb, you can replace it with "have got", but only in the present tense.



This is true for possessive uses of have:





  • I have three dollars.

  • I have got three dollars.

  • *I had got three dollars. (wrong, if you mean possession and not acquisition)

  • *I will have got three dollars. (same as above)




And also obligation:





  • I have to go.

  • I have got to go.

  • *I had got to go. (wrong)

  • *I will have got to go. (wrong)




Lastly, if you are constructing an imperative sentence, you can only use have:





  • Here, have an apple.

  • *Here, have got an apple. (wrong)






A note on "have got" when referring to acquisition: this is not possible in US/Canadian English, where "have gotten" is the preferred form.






share|improve this answer





















  • Permit me to disagree with your closing note. Have got certainly exists in US English, even in situations dealing with acquisition. For instance, one would sooner hear "She's got the skills we need" than "She's gotten the skills we need". You may argue that this is not quite acquisition. However, I would still argue that "I've got it", especially when referring to answers/solutions is not unheard of in the US. Maybe this is a regional thing...
    – Jimi Oke
    Feb 10 '11 at 4:54










  • I'm going to disagree with your ban on using had got for possession. "I had got three dollars in my pocket" sounds fine to me, if somewhat informal (as a past tense for have got meaning possession). But *"will have got three dollars" indeed sounds wrong.
    – Peter Shor
    Aug 18 '11 at 3:03




















up vote
2
down vote













I have the answer and I've got the answer are both correct, yes. The latter is more colloquial and informal; avoid it in formal writing. Otherwise, use whatever sounds good to you at the time.






share|improve this answer





















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    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes








    3 Answers
    3






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    9
    down vote



    accepted











    I have the answer




    sounds more formal and somber, and it is often used as a statement of fact or as a direct response to the questions: Do you have the answer? Who has the answer? etc.




    I've got the answer/I have got the answer




    is more of an eureka moment remark, something one is likely to hear often in such a place as a college physics common room where students are bashing heads on seemingly intractable problems.



    The have got construction is more of a Britishism. In the US, one would be more likely to hear:




    I got the answer/Got the answer







    share|improve this answer





















    • Is "I've the answer" considered grammatical?
      – Pacerier
      May 13 '12 at 21:33










    • I've the answer is grammatical but certainly not colloquial, i.e. it is an expression you would definitely not hear from a native speaker. The contraction I've usually precedes the past participle, e.g. I've been, I've had, I've seen, I've taken, etc. In this case, I've got the answer is more natural. So is I have the answer.
      – Jimi Oke
      May 13 '12 at 23:27










    • Thanks for the reply =) Btw, if what I wanted to say is that "I have a habit presently", is there a difference in meaning between saying "I've got a habit of something" and "I've a habit of something"? (is the second one colloquial?)
      – Pacerier
      May 13 '12 at 23:35












    • No difference. The I've got... is more of a British construction, really. I've a habit of... would certainly be considered colloquial, depending on where you are, though it's not a construction I use often... If one is speaking fast enough, that could be tough. I'm in the habit of... is something I'm more likely to say, but that's just me. But in this case, both are certainly correct and sound natural.
      – Jimi Oke
      May 13 '12 at 23:47










    • But isn't "I'm in the habit of collecting stamps." odd-sounding?
      – Pacerier
      May 14 '12 at 0:25















    up vote
    9
    down vote



    accepted











    I have the answer




    sounds more formal and somber, and it is often used as a statement of fact or as a direct response to the questions: Do you have the answer? Who has the answer? etc.




    I've got the answer/I have got the answer




    is more of an eureka moment remark, something one is likely to hear often in such a place as a college physics common room where students are bashing heads on seemingly intractable problems.



    The have got construction is more of a Britishism. In the US, one would be more likely to hear:




    I got the answer/Got the answer







    share|improve this answer





















    • Is "I've the answer" considered grammatical?
      – Pacerier
      May 13 '12 at 21:33










    • I've the answer is grammatical but certainly not colloquial, i.e. it is an expression you would definitely not hear from a native speaker. The contraction I've usually precedes the past participle, e.g. I've been, I've had, I've seen, I've taken, etc. In this case, I've got the answer is more natural. So is I have the answer.
      – Jimi Oke
      May 13 '12 at 23:27










    • Thanks for the reply =) Btw, if what I wanted to say is that "I have a habit presently", is there a difference in meaning between saying "I've got a habit of something" and "I've a habit of something"? (is the second one colloquial?)
      – Pacerier
      May 13 '12 at 23:35












    • No difference. The I've got... is more of a British construction, really. I've a habit of... would certainly be considered colloquial, depending on where you are, though it's not a construction I use often... If one is speaking fast enough, that could be tough. I'm in the habit of... is something I'm more likely to say, but that's just me. But in this case, both are certainly correct and sound natural.
      – Jimi Oke
      May 13 '12 at 23:47










    • But isn't "I'm in the habit of collecting stamps." odd-sounding?
      – Pacerier
      May 14 '12 at 0:25













    up vote
    9
    down vote



    accepted







    up vote
    9
    down vote



    accepted







    I have the answer




    sounds more formal and somber, and it is often used as a statement of fact or as a direct response to the questions: Do you have the answer? Who has the answer? etc.




    I've got the answer/I have got the answer




    is more of an eureka moment remark, something one is likely to hear often in such a place as a college physics common room where students are bashing heads on seemingly intractable problems.



    The have got construction is more of a Britishism. In the US, one would be more likely to hear:




    I got the answer/Got the answer







    share|improve this answer













    I have the answer




    sounds more formal and somber, and it is often used as a statement of fact or as a direct response to the questions: Do you have the answer? Who has the answer? etc.




    I've got the answer/I have got the answer




    is more of an eureka moment remark, something one is likely to hear often in such a place as a college physics common room where students are bashing heads on seemingly intractable problems.



    The have got construction is more of a Britishism. In the US, one would be more likely to hear:




    I got the answer/Got the answer








    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Feb 9 '11 at 20:18









    Jimi Oke

    24.4k264102




    24.4k264102












    • Is "I've the answer" considered grammatical?
      – Pacerier
      May 13 '12 at 21:33










    • I've the answer is grammatical but certainly not colloquial, i.e. it is an expression you would definitely not hear from a native speaker. The contraction I've usually precedes the past participle, e.g. I've been, I've had, I've seen, I've taken, etc. In this case, I've got the answer is more natural. So is I have the answer.
      – Jimi Oke
      May 13 '12 at 23:27










    • Thanks for the reply =) Btw, if what I wanted to say is that "I have a habit presently", is there a difference in meaning between saying "I've got a habit of something" and "I've a habit of something"? (is the second one colloquial?)
      – Pacerier
      May 13 '12 at 23:35












    • No difference. The I've got... is more of a British construction, really. I've a habit of... would certainly be considered colloquial, depending on where you are, though it's not a construction I use often... If one is speaking fast enough, that could be tough. I'm in the habit of... is something I'm more likely to say, but that's just me. But in this case, both are certainly correct and sound natural.
      – Jimi Oke
      May 13 '12 at 23:47










    • But isn't "I'm in the habit of collecting stamps." odd-sounding?
      – Pacerier
      May 14 '12 at 0:25


















    • Is "I've the answer" considered grammatical?
      – Pacerier
      May 13 '12 at 21:33










    • I've the answer is grammatical but certainly not colloquial, i.e. it is an expression you would definitely not hear from a native speaker. The contraction I've usually precedes the past participle, e.g. I've been, I've had, I've seen, I've taken, etc. In this case, I've got the answer is more natural. So is I have the answer.
      – Jimi Oke
      May 13 '12 at 23:27










    • Thanks for the reply =) Btw, if what I wanted to say is that "I have a habit presently", is there a difference in meaning between saying "I've got a habit of something" and "I've a habit of something"? (is the second one colloquial?)
      – Pacerier
      May 13 '12 at 23:35












    • No difference. The I've got... is more of a British construction, really. I've a habit of... would certainly be considered colloquial, depending on where you are, though it's not a construction I use often... If one is speaking fast enough, that could be tough. I'm in the habit of... is something I'm more likely to say, but that's just me. But in this case, both are certainly correct and sound natural.
      – Jimi Oke
      May 13 '12 at 23:47










    • But isn't "I'm in the habit of collecting stamps." odd-sounding?
      – Pacerier
      May 14 '12 at 0:25
















    Is "I've the answer" considered grammatical?
    – Pacerier
    May 13 '12 at 21:33




    Is "I've the answer" considered grammatical?
    – Pacerier
    May 13 '12 at 21:33












    I've the answer is grammatical but certainly not colloquial, i.e. it is an expression you would definitely not hear from a native speaker. The contraction I've usually precedes the past participle, e.g. I've been, I've had, I've seen, I've taken, etc. In this case, I've got the answer is more natural. So is I have the answer.
    – Jimi Oke
    May 13 '12 at 23:27




    I've the answer is grammatical but certainly not colloquial, i.e. it is an expression you would definitely not hear from a native speaker. The contraction I've usually precedes the past participle, e.g. I've been, I've had, I've seen, I've taken, etc. In this case, I've got the answer is more natural. So is I have the answer.
    – Jimi Oke
    May 13 '12 at 23:27












    Thanks for the reply =) Btw, if what I wanted to say is that "I have a habit presently", is there a difference in meaning between saying "I've got a habit of something" and "I've a habit of something"? (is the second one colloquial?)
    – Pacerier
    May 13 '12 at 23:35






    Thanks for the reply =) Btw, if what I wanted to say is that "I have a habit presently", is there a difference in meaning between saying "I've got a habit of something" and "I've a habit of something"? (is the second one colloquial?)
    – Pacerier
    May 13 '12 at 23:35














    No difference. The I've got... is more of a British construction, really. I've a habit of... would certainly be considered colloquial, depending on where you are, though it's not a construction I use often... If one is speaking fast enough, that could be tough. I'm in the habit of... is something I'm more likely to say, but that's just me. But in this case, both are certainly correct and sound natural.
    – Jimi Oke
    May 13 '12 at 23:47




    No difference. The I've got... is more of a British construction, really. I've a habit of... would certainly be considered colloquial, depending on where you are, though it's not a construction I use often... If one is speaking fast enough, that could be tough. I'm in the habit of... is something I'm more likely to say, but that's just me. But in this case, both are certainly correct and sound natural.
    – Jimi Oke
    May 13 '12 at 23:47












    But isn't "I'm in the habit of collecting stamps." odd-sounding?
    – Pacerier
    May 14 '12 at 0:25




    But isn't "I'm in the habit of collecting stamps." odd-sounding?
    – Pacerier
    May 14 '12 at 0:25












    up vote
    10
    down vote













    "Have got" is certainly more informal. So if you never use "have got", you will be fine. However, if you want to use "have got", this is how it works.



    Have and "have got" are sometimes interchangeable and sometimes not.



    When have is being used as a modal verb (or helper verb), then you cannot use "have got".





    • I have been there before.

    • *I have got been there before. (wrong)




    When have is being used as a main verb, you can replace it with "have got", but only in the present tense.



    This is true for possessive uses of have:





    • I have three dollars.

    • I have got three dollars.

    • *I had got three dollars. (wrong, if you mean possession and not acquisition)

    • *I will have got three dollars. (same as above)




    And also obligation:





    • I have to go.

    • I have got to go.

    • *I had got to go. (wrong)

    • *I will have got to go. (wrong)




    Lastly, if you are constructing an imperative sentence, you can only use have:





    • Here, have an apple.

    • *Here, have got an apple. (wrong)






    A note on "have got" when referring to acquisition: this is not possible in US/Canadian English, where "have gotten" is the preferred form.






    share|improve this answer





















    • Permit me to disagree with your closing note. Have got certainly exists in US English, even in situations dealing with acquisition. For instance, one would sooner hear "She's got the skills we need" than "She's gotten the skills we need". You may argue that this is not quite acquisition. However, I would still argue that "I've got it", especially when referring to answers/solutions is not unheard of in the US. Maybe this is a regional thing...
      – Jimi Oke
      Feb 10 '11 at 4:54










    • I'm going to disagree with your ban on using had got for possession. "I had got three dollars in my pocket" sounds fine to me, if somewhat informal (as a past tense for have got meaning possession). But *"will have got three dollars" indeed sounds wrong.
      – Peter Shor
      Aug 18 '11 at 3:03

















    up vote
    10
    down vote













    "Have got" is certainly more informal. So if you never use "have got", you will be fine. However, if you want to use "have got", this is how it works.



    Have and "have got" are sometimes interchangeable and sometimes not.



    When have is being used as a modal verb (or helper verb), then you cannot use "have got".





    • I have been there before.

    • *I have got been there before. (wrong)




    When have is being used as a main verb, you can replace it with "have got", but only in the present tense.



    This is true for possessive uses of have:





    • I have three dollars.

    • I have got three dollars.

    • *I had got three dollars. (wrong, if you mean possession and not acquisition)

    • *I will have got three dollars. (same as above)




    And also obligation:





    • I have to go.

    • I have got to go.

    • *I had got to go. (wrong)

    • *I will have got to go. (wrong)




    Lastly, if you are constructing an imperative sentence, you can only use have:





    • Here, have an apple.

    • *Here, have got an apple. (wrong)






    A note on "have got" when referring to acquisition: this is not possible in US/Canadian English, where "have gotten" is the preferred form.






    share|improve this answer





















    • Permit me to disagree with your closing note. Have got certainly exists in US English, even in situations dealing with acquisition. For instance, one would sooner hear "She's got the skills we need" than "She's gotten the skills we need". You may argue that this is not quite acquisition. However, I would still argue that "I've got it", especially when referring to answers/solutions is not unheard of in the US. Maybe this is a regional thing...
      – Jimi Oke
      Feb 10 '11 at 4:54










    • I'm going to disagree with your ban on using had got for possession. "I had got three dollars in my pocket" sounds fine to me, if somewhat informal (as a past tense for have got meaning possession). But *"will have got three dollars" indeed sounds wrong.
      – Peter Shor
      Aug 18 '11 at 3:03















    up vote
    10
    down vote










    up vote
    10
    down vote









    "Have got" is certainly more informal. So if you never use "have got", you will be fine. However, if you want to use "have got", this is how it works.



    Have and "have got" are sometimes interchangeable and sometimes not.



    When have is being used as a modal verb (or helper verb), then you cannot use "have got".





    • I have been there before.

    • *I have got been there before. (wrong)




    When have is being used as a main verb, you can replace it with "have got", but only in the present tense.



    This is true for possessive uses of have:





    • I have three dollars.

    • I have got three dollars.

    • *I had got three dollars. (wrong, if you mean possession and not acquisition)

    • *I will have got three dollars. (same as above)




    And also obligation:





    • I have to go.

    • I have got to go.

    • *I had got to go. (wrong)

    • *I will have got to go. (wrong)




    Lastly, if you are constructing an imperative sentence, you can only use have:





    • Here, have an apple.

    • *Here, have got an apple. (wrong)






    A note on "have got" when referring to acquisition: this is not possible in US/Canadian English, where "have gotten" is the preferred form.






    share|improve this answer












    "Have got" is certainly more informal. So if you never use "have got", you will be fine. However, if you want to use "have got", this is how it works.



    Have and "have got" are sometimes interchangeable and sometimes not.



    When have is being used as a modal verb (or helper verb), then you cannot use "have got".





    • I have been there before.

    • *I have got been there before. (wrong)




    When have is being used as a main verb, you can replace it with "have got", but only in the present tense.



    This is true for possessive uses of have:





    • I have three dollars.

    • I have got three dollars.

    • *I had got three dollars. (wrong, if you mean possession and not acquisition)

    • *I will have got three dollars. (same as above)




    And also obligation:





    • I have to go.

    • I have got to go.

    • *I had got to go. (wrong)

    • *I will have got to go. (wrong)




    Lastly, if you are constructing an imperative sentence, you can only use have:





    • Here, have an apple.

    • *Here, have got an apple. (wrong)






    A note on "have got" when referring to acquisition: this is not possible in US/Canadian English, where "have gotten" is the preferred form.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Feb 9 '11 at 21:21









    Kosmonaut

    45.2k7149201




    45.2k7149201












    • Permit me to disagree with your closing note. Have got certainly exists in US English, even in situations dealing with acquisition. For instance, one would sooner hear "She's got the skills we need" than "She's gotten the skills we need". You may argue that this is not quite acquisition. However, I would still argue that "I've got it", especially when referring to answers/solutions is not unheard of in the US. Maybe this is a regional thing...
      – Jimi Oke
      Feb 10 '11 at 4:54










    • I'm going to disagree with your ban on using had got for possession. "I had got three dollars in my pocket" sounds fine to me, if somewhat informal (as a past tense for have got meaning possession). But *"will have got three dollars" indeed sounds wrong.
      – Peter Shor
      Aug 18 '11 at 3:03




















    • Permit me to disagree with your closing note. Have got certainly exists in US English, even in situations dealing with acquisition. For instance, one would sooner hear "She's got the skills we need" than "She's gotten the skills we need". You may argue that this is not quite acquisition. However, I would still argue that "I've got it", especially when referring to answers/solutions is not unheard of in the US. Maybe this is a regional thing...
      – Jimi Oke
      Feb 10 '11 at 4:54










    • I'm going to disagree with your ban on using had got for possession. "I had got three dollars in my pocket" sounds fine to me, if somewhat informal (as a past tense for have got meaning possession). But *"will have got three dollars" indeed sounds wrong.
      – Peter Shor
      Aug 18 '11 at 3:03


















    Permit me to disagree with your closing note. Have got certainly exists in US English, even in situations dealing with acquisition. For instance, one would sooner hear "She's got the skills we need" than "She's gotten the skills we need". You may argue that this is not quite acquisition. However, I would still argue that "I've got it", especially when referring to answers/solutions is not unheard of in the US. Maybe this is a regional thing...
    – Jimi Oke
    Feb 10 '11 at 4:54




    Permit me to disagree with your closing note. Have got certainly exists in US English, even in situations dealing with acquisition. For instance, one would sooner hear "She's got the skills we need" than "She's gotten the skills we need". You may argue that this is not quite acquisition. However, I would still argue that "I've got it", especially when referring to answers/solutions is not unheard of in the US. Maybe this is a regional thing...
    – Jimi Oke
    Feb 10 '11 at 4:54












    I'm going to disagree with your ban on using had got for possession. "I had got three dollars in my pocket" sounds fine to me, if somewhat informal (as a past tense for have got meaning possession). But *"will have got three dollars" indeed sounds wrong.
    – Peter Shor
    Aug 18 '11 at 3:03






    I'm going to disagree with your ban on using had got for possession. "I had got three dollars in my pocket" sounds fine to me, if somewhat informal (as a past tense for have got meaning possession). But *"will have got three dollars" indeed sounds wrong.
    – Peter Shor
    Aug 18 '11 at 3:03












    up vote
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    I have the answer and I've got the answer are both correct, yes. The latter is more colloquial and informal; avoid it in formal writing. Otherwise, use whatever sounds good to you at the time.






    share|improve this answer

























      up vote
      2
      down vote













      I have the answer and I've got the answer are both correct, yes. The latter is more colloquial and informal; avoid it in formal writing. Otherwise, use whatever sounds good to you at the time.






      share|improve this answer























        up vote
        2
        down vote










        up vote
        2
        down vote









        I have the answer and I've got the answer are both correct, yes. The latter is more colloquial and informal; avoid it in formal writing. Otherwise, use whatever sounds good to you at the time.






        share|improve this answer












        I have the answer and I've got the answer are both correct, yes. The latter is more colloquial and informal; avoid it in formal writing. Otherwise, use whatever sounds good to you at the time.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Feb 9 '11 at 19:28









        chaos

        17.9k45584




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