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New2grammar Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
have [got] an idea
Here are a couple of scenarios and I'd like to know whether you would use 'I've got an idea' or 'I've an idea'
#1
James: Now that we have had dinner and the night is still young, what else can we do?
Mary: Let me think. Ummm... I've [got] an idea. Let's go rent a movie.
#2
Bob: Listen up, guys. I've [got] an idea. Our resident assistant has just got a new car. Anyone want to TP his car?
Thanks in advance!
#1
James: Now that we have had dinner and the night is still young, what else can we do?
Mary: Let me think. Ummm... I've [got] an idea. Let's go rent a movie.
#2
Bob: Listen up, guys. I've [got] an idea. Our resident assistant has just got a new car. Anyone want to TP his car?
Thanks in advance!
Top answer
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6 Answers
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In AmE the choice is between I've got an idea and I have an idea; I've an idea is not particularly AmE. It seems more like BrE to me.
I have an idea is in a higher register than I've got an idea. Both of your examples seem to be taken from casual conversation, so I prefer the slightly lower register I've got an idea for both.
I have an idea is in a higher register than I've got an idea. Both of your examples seem to be taken from casual conversation, so I prefer the slightly lower register I've got an idea for both.
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Hi,
In the first sentence, I'd use "I've an idea", even with American English, because I'm picturing the person saying it very quickly, she has just thought about it, and she's saying it with a particular intonation.
In the second sentence, i've got is better because they person is saying it more slowly and with a different intonation.
I've seen i've with a. english lots of tim
In the first sentence, I'd use "I've an idea", even with American English, because I'm picturing the person saying it very quickly, she has just thought about it, and she's saying it with a particular intonation.
In the second sentence, i've got is better because they person is saying it more slowly and with a different intonation.
I've seen i've with a. english lots of tim
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I agree with Jim, and would add that in AmE the word "have" in "I've got an idea" often disappears completely in very informal language.
In other words, in informal spoken English, "I got an idea." often means "I have an idea."
In other words, in informal spoken English, "I got an idea." often means "I have an idea."
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New2grammarSince CJ says "I've an idea" sounds like BrE, I wouldn't use it, as the other parts of the dialogues sound non-BrE to me.
Here are a couple of scenarios and I'd like to know whether you would use 'I've got an idea' or 'I've an idea'
MrP
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I've seen i've with a. english lots of times.
I would agree with this only when "have" is used with a past participle. "I've seen that; I've heard that, I've done that" all sound fine to me.
But using "I've" to show possession ("I've an idea") does not sound at all natural to me (even with a "particular intonation"). I would agree that if "I have
I would agree with this only when "have" is used with a past participle. "I've seen that; I've heard that, I've done that" all sound fine to me.
But using "I've" to show possession ("I've an idea") does not sound at all natural to me (even with a "particular intonation"). I would agree that if "I have
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