gotten

Question

0I was doing my business in the bush. By the time I was done, I noticed there was a herd of elephants near me. I could have got/gotten trampled, a very embarrassing way to die.02br02br00Which choice would you use in the US, got or gotten? 02br02br00 What's the difference between the following.02br02br00He has a gun. (I understand it as He owns a gun)02br02br00He has got a gun (I understand it as He has obtained a gun)02br02br00He has gotten a gun (??? no idea)02br02br00Similarly, what's the difference between02br02br00He could have been trampled02br02br00He could have got trampled02br02br00He could have gotten trampled.02br02br00Thanks0-

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

1b00 been 02b00is the best02br
01b00102b00 on 01b00"could have got trampled"02b02br
01b00202b00 on 01b00"could have gotten trampled"02b02br
01b007702b00 on 01b00"could have been trampled"02b02br
0500240hrefhttp://books.google.com/books?q=%22could+have+been+trampled%22&btnG=Search+Books

New2grammar · Answer

0Thanks MH for the statistics. I could be wrong but I believe there are differences between them. Looking at just the statistics tells us nothing more than the frequency of their uses. It's likely that one is used in a rarer situation than the others, but it doesn't mean it's always wrong and replaceble by the others. Please let me know if you need further clarification.0-

Philip · Answer

0 I generally do not use "have" and "got" in the same verb phrase.  In fact, I try to avoid "got" altogether. 0-

CalifJim · Answer

0 01blockquote

01cite10New2grammar12cite10Which choice would you use in the US, got or gotten?12blockquote

10gotten02br
02br
01i00He has a gun.02i00 01i00-- owns02i00 or 01i00has on his person02i00 or 01i00is holding02i02br
02br
01i00He has got a gun02i00 -- Same as previous.02br
02br
01i00He has gotten a gun02i00 -- has obtained -- come into the possession of -- by purchase, theft, or loan, or ... (The method by which the gun was obtained is not relevant.)02br
02br
01i00________02i02br
02br
01i00He could have been trampled.02i02br
02br
01i00He could have got trampled.02i02br
02br
01i00He could have gotten trampled.02i02br
00No significant difference except that with 01i00gotten02i00 it's more likely to be American English.02br
00CJ 0-

New2grammar · Answer

0Hi Philip, Do you mind explaning "have" and "got" in the same verb phrase. In fact, I try to avoid "got" altogether.02br
00 "02br
02br
00What is "the same verb phrase"? And do you mean you never use 01i00got02i00 or not use it in the same verb phrase?0-

New2grammar · Answer

0CJ, can I generalize your answer to all passive constructions like02br
02br
01i00He could have been trampled/killed/run over/shot/kicked.02i02br
02br
01i00He could have got trampled/killed/run over/shot/kicked.02i02br
02br
01i00He could have gotten trampled/killed/run over/shot/kicked.02i02br
02br
00No significant difference except that with 01i00gotten02i00 it's more likely to be American English.0-

Philip · Answer

0 01blockquote

01cite10New2grammar12cite10Hi Philip, Do you mind explaning "have" and "got" in the same verb phrase. In fact, I try to avoid "got" altogether. "12br
12br
10What is "the same verb phrase"? And do you mean you never use 11i10got12i10 or not use it in the same verb phrase?12br
12br
12blockquote

10In my book, "I've got something to tell you," should be "I have something to tell you."02br
00"I've got to go now" should be "I must leave now".02br
00"I've got a terrific idea" should be "I have a terrific idea."02br
02br
00[I'm talking about formal language here, of course.]02br
02br
00I don't like "got", as it can be used in so many phrases. I think learners of English should use other words:02br
00I got a nice birthday present: I received a nice birthday present02br
00I got an idea yesterday: I had an idea yesterday02br
00I got your meaning: I understand your meaning02br
00I got your letter: Your letter arrived 02br
00I got sick: I became ill02br
02br
00I realize I am a minority in objecting to the overuse of 'got', especially with 'have', but I maintain that there are other ways of expressing the same idea. "I 'have got' is something I just avoid altogether. 0-

CalifJim · Answer

0 01blockquote

01cite10New2grammar12cite10can I generalize your answer to all passive constructions12blockquote

10You can certainly generalize to the negative actions that can be inflicted upon a person, as shown in your examples. But you can't apply all three patterns to all past participles. For example, you may say,02br
01i00He could have been driven to the station. 02i02br
00But I would consider it awkward to use 01i00got 02i00or 01i00gotten02i00 with 01i00driven02i00:02br
01i00???He could have got/gotten driven to the station.02i02br
00Likewise:02br
01i00He could have been heard in the next room. ???He could have got/gotten heard in the next room. 02i02br
00Not all past participles work with 01i00got/gotten02i00.02br
00CJ 0-

New2grammar · Answer

0Thanks Philip and CJ. It's clearer to me now. 0-

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