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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Have versus Have got
As in "I have a dog" versus "I've got a dog"
IS THERE A REASON for not using either interchangeably?
IS THERE A REASON for not using either interchangeably?
Top answer
They mean the same, but "I have a dog" is more formal. I probably wouldn't write "I've got a dog" (or an equivalent phrase) in something like a report at work.
- They mean the same, but "I have a dog" is more formal.
- I probably wouldn't write "I've got a dog" (or an equivalent phrase) in something like a report at work.
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3 Answers
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They mean the same, but "I have a dog" is more formal. I probably wouldn't write "I've got a dog" (or an equivalent phrase) in something like a report at work.
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In a case like the one you give as an example, what does "got" add to the sentence? Nothing. "I have a dog" is sufficient --plain, clear, simple, clean; "I have got a dog" is wordy. "Got" is unnecessary.
That being said, there are other times when "have gotten" raises better questions.
"I have gotten feedback" -- that would be better written as "I have received feedback"
That being said, there are other times when "have gotten" raises better questions.
"I have gotten feedback" -- that would be better written as "I have received feedback"
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I agree with Anonymous's answer, but would point out that gotten is not used in British English.
If you are writing for readers in the UK, stick with the got forms.
Rover
If you are writing for readers in the UK, stick with the got forms.
Rover
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