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Jaso Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

illnesses

Hi, Can you please tell me why we say

"I have got a headache"

But we say "I have got toothache"

Now why do we use "a" before headache but no article before toothache?

Thanks
  

Top answer

Hi Jaso, Actually, the common expression is I have got a toothache. Best wishes, Clive

— Clive

  • Hi Jaso, Actually, the common expression is I have got a toothache.
  • Best wishes, Clive
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8 Answers
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Hi Jaso,

Actually, the common expression is I have got a toothache.

Best wishes, Clive
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CliveHi Jaso,

Actually, the common expression is I have got a toothache.

Best wishes, Clive
Again, of course my own preference is to eliminate 'got'.
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Philip
Clive Actually, the common expression is I have got a toothache.
Again, of course my own preference is to eliminate 'got'.
I think it is common to eliminate 'got'.

I have a toothache.

I have a headache.
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Hi guys,

I think it is common to eliminate 'got'. Where you live, perhaps, but not where I live.

However, rather than I have got a toothache, one would normally use the contracted form I've got a toothache.

I think some people consider the word gotin such a context
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Thanks guys,

but these two sentences "I have got a headache" "I have got toothache" are sentences taken from the couresebook we use. So, what I'm asking isn't about the have gotverb but more on the use of articles in the two sentences..
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Hi Jaso,

OK. You just have to let us have our little bit of fun. Emotion: smile

As I noted earlier, my experience is that the co
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CliveI think it is common to eliminate 'got'. Where you live, perhaps, but not where I live.
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Jaso So, what I'm asking isn't about the have gotverb but more on the use of articles in the two sentences..
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