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LoveCZ Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Doubts about the registers of "have got" and "no *noun*"

Dear every teacher, I would like to know two matters.

Firstly, I understand that "have got" means "have" and also "must". I, however, am not sure about its register. My British friend guessed that it is most likely a slang, informal type, and should not be applied in decent writings like school reports and essays. Therefore I would like to know about your view.

Secondly, I sometimes do hear that some actors in computer games and movies mention something like "I am no hero.", "I am no killer." I know these phrases virtually mean "I am not hero or killer". But I would also like to know their registers as well. These are the informal sorts and should only be used in very daily non-serious speech, am I correct?

Thanks much for everybody's helping hand.
  

Top answer

1) You are correct. " got to" and "have got" are informal. " (Although his actual words were "I am not a crook") It is also frequently used in these expressions.

— AlpheccaStars

  • 1) You are correct.
  • " got to" and "have got" are informal.
  • " (Although his actual words were "I am not a crook") It is also frequently used in these expressions.
  • They can be used in any context, tense and person.
  • He is no stranger (to) I am no saint.
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2 Answers
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1) You are correct. " got to" and "have got" are informal.

2) President Nixon has been infamously quoted: "I am no crook." (Although his actual words were "I am not a crook")

It is also frequently used in these expressions. They can be used in any context, tense and person.
He is no stranger (to)
I am no saint.
I am no threat to...

I am no fan of...
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So you are saying that the first one is informal and should not be used in formal writing but the second one can be in formal usage, am I right?
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