I've got to

I believe that it is entirely up to you whether to contract a verb or not. I have never seen or heard of the phrase "I've got to get going."

Hi Chariot

"I've got to get going."is often slightly more emphatic than "I have to get going."
And whenever you fully pronounce a word that is normally contracted, that also tends to add more emphasis. In spoken English, people don't often say "I have got to" instead of "I've got to".

YankeeHi Chariot

"I've got to get going."is often slightly more emphatic than "I have to get going."
And whenever you fully pronounce a word that is normally contracted, that also tends to add more emphasis. In spoken English, people don't often say "I have got to" instead of "I've got to".

You might also hear "I g

I think I may have learned here that "I have got to" (in whichever form) tends to be more American in its usage.

Oh my gosh - look at the time! I have GOT to get going!

Though none of them is particularly formal, from least formal (most casual) to most formal (least casual), they are:

I gotta get going.
I've gotta get going.¹
I've got to get going.²
I have to get going.

¹Personally, I tend to use this one in ordinary conversation.

²I have got to get g

Thank you, everyone.

Now may I summerise your opioion. 1. "I've got to" is more emphatic and more casual than "I have to".

2. "I've got to" is most often contracted.

I have a question for Califjim. ²I have got to get going is the more emphatic form of this one. It would probably be said more slowly, with some stress on ea

Chariot2. "I've got to" is most often contracted.

I have a question for Califjim. ²I have got to get going is the more emphatic form of this one. It would probably be said more slowly, with some stress on each of the first three syllables.
What does "this one" refer to? Tha

Hey Kooyeen! Thanks for answering that while I was away!

CJ