I've got

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   The usual spoken short form of 'I have got', used to say you own, hold, or are experiencing something.

   Grammar: Followed by a noun phrase: I've got a car. In questions the subject and 'have' swap: Have I got time?

   Patterns

   • I've got something
   • I've got to do something
   • have I got something?

   I've got two brothers and one sister.

   I've got a terrible headache this morning.

   Have you got a minute to talk?

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   Used to say that something is necessary or that you must do it; a short form of 'I have got to'.

   Grammar: Followed by the base form of a verb: I've got to go. In fast speech it often sounds like 'I gotta'.

   Patterns

   • I've got to do something

   I've got to leave now or I'll miss the train.

   We've got to be more careful next time.

   She's got to finish the report by Friday.

Common combinations

I've got it

Don't worry about the bill — I've got it.

I've got a feeling

I've got a feeling she's going to say yes.

I've got no idea

I've got no idea where my keys are.

I've got to go

Sorry, I've got to go — my bus is here.

you've got mail

A cheerful voice said, "You've got mail."

Synonyms and how they differ

I have

More formal and more common in writing; 'I've got' is mainly British and conversational.

I've gotten

American English uses 'gotten' for the process of obtaining something, as in 'I've gotten better', not for possession.

Word family

have got phrase

The full form behind the contraction, used for possession or obligation.

gotta phrase

Very informal spelling of 'got to', as in 'I gotta run'.

Commonly confused: I've got or I got?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “I've got”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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