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I'm confused, is "have got" a verb? Because when I've searched it in a dictionary, it said "have got" was an equivalent of "have", the form is like the "Present Perfect Tense", and it is the equivalent of "have" in British English. I've ever heard that "have got" can't be used in every situation, and only "have" can be used in all situation and all verbs, is that right?

These are the examples. So, do you hear them in standard British English?

  1. I have already got to go (or) I already have to go.

  2. I never have a pen when I need one (or) I have never got a pen when I need one.

  3. I have got to do it (or) I have to do it.

  4. I have still got to sign those contracts (or) I still have to sign those contracts.

  5. I have just/only got five pence (or) I just/only have five pence.

Questions
Do you use them both in BrE? What are the differences between them? Could you tell me, is "have got" a verb?

Aqsha Isham
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  • We have a lot of newcomers who ask this type of question, so don't be dismayed if nobody rushes to answer. Did you write these examples yourself, or did you find them online somewhere? A few seem to miss the mark, they're not very idiomatic sounding. – Mari-Lou A Apr 26 '17 at 08:48
  • @Mari-LouA , Yes! I found them online and I made these sentences myself. But, are they correct? – Aqsha Isham Apr 26 '17 at 14:01
  • https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/usage-of-never.3309688/ why did the answers on this website not satisfy you? There's nothing wrong in asking in more than website, but you should include the research, and explain what you don't understand. – Mari-Lou A Apr 27 '17 at 08:40
  • As I mentioned previously, the samples do not sound very idiomatic "I already have to go" produces only three results on Google books. – Mari-Lou A Apr 27 '17 at 08:42
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    You're confusing "have got" = possession, e.g. He *has got a* new car and have got to = must, e.g. He has got to get a new car, his old one is falling to bits – Mari-Lou A Apr 27 '17 at 08:46
  • @Mari-LouA, So, I've recently heard, that "have got" is an informal form and "have" is a formal form, so do you use "do" support in e.g. I do have/I have, I don't have, do/don't I have?, I've seen "have" without "do" and "got" is it more common in BrE? – Aqsha Isham Apr 27 '17 at 08:58
  • You're confusing the meanings, it's HAVE GOT + noun (We have got two cars BrEng) and HAVE GOT TO + verb sometimes shortened to GOT TO + verb ( We have got to get some new cars = we must/have to get some new cars) The question form would be: Do we HAVE TO GET new cars? or HAVE we GOT TO get new cars?" – Mari-Lou A Apr 27 '17 at 09:06
  • please read this answer, if it doesn't help, explain why in your question. Link the older question in your question so users don't have to search where you got the information from. https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/4193/could-i-always-use-have-and-never-use-have-got/4229#4229 – Mari-Lou A Apr 27 '17 at 09:14
  • SIX questions about "have got" are far too many. Please visit ELL, English language for Learners, it is a sister site that caters especially for learners who are at beginner or pre intermediate level https://ell.stackexchange.com/ just click where it says join this community in the top bar. No need to change your account or anything. – Mari-Lou A Apr 27 '17 at 10:30

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