Which one is correct?

Question

I've gotten a hold of a copy of the newspaperorI've got a hold of a copy of the newspaperWhich one is the correct way of saying it or they actually have different meaning?Thanks in advance.

Goodman · Accepted Answer

AnonymousWhich one is the correct way of saying it or they actually have different meaning?

Thanks in advance.

In this context, the "a" is not needed. Both are correct, but I prefer "gotten" in this case.

I've gotten a hold of a copy of the newspaper

I've got a hold of a copy of the newspaper

Philip · Answer

AnonymousI've gotten a hold of a copy of the newspaper

or

I've got a hold of a copy of the newspaper

Which one is the correct way of saying it or they actually have different meaning?

Thanks in advance.

I far prefer "I have received....", or "I happen to have...."

Tidus · Answer

Philip
Anonymous
I've gotten a hold of a copy of the newspaper

or

I've got a hold of a copy of the newspaper

Which one is the correct way of saying it or they actually have different meaning?

Thanks in advance.

I far prefer "I have received....", or "I happen to have...."

Philip, when "gotten hold of a copy" is used, it generally means that there is something in it that the person specifically wants to see or is expecting to see, and they've usually heard about it from someone else, or something else - an advert maybe, or even that it's in short supply, or a few days later, so the person is searching for an old copy. Hence the reason that they want to get hold of a copy.

"I have received..." suggests that you're replying to someone who has asked you if your newspaper has arrived.

"I happen to have...." suggests that someone else is talking about the newspaper, and you've already got one, so you say "I happen to have....", which would then mean that the person wouldn't have to go and try to get hold of a copy - because you've already got one.

Which one is correct?

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