I haven't got

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I haven't got" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to indicate the absence of something. Example: "I haven't got any money to buy lunch today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I haven't got it.

The New Yorker

I haven't got room.

The New Yorker

I haven't got an account.

Independent

I haven't got the power!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I haven't got the money.

The New Yorker

"I haven't got an ego.

Independent

And I haven't got one".

The Economist

I haven't got pockets.

The Guardian - Sport

"I haven't got that".

The New York Times

"I haven't got any.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I haven't got time.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a formal audience, consider using "I do not have" or "I don't have" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "I haven't got" in highly formal documents such as legal contracts or academic papers. Opt for "I do not have" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I haven't got" is to express negation regarding possession or availability. It indicates that the speaker does not currently have something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I haven't got" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express a lack of something, particularly in British English. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for informal contexts, whereas more formal alternatives like "I do not have" or "I don't have" might be preferable in professional or academic writing. The phrase appears frequently in news media and scientific sources. When choosing this expression, consider your audience and the desired tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I do not have

This is a more formal and standard alternative to "I haven't got".

I don't have

This is a common and slightly less formal alternative to "I haven't got".

I have no

A direct and common alternative, suitable for most contexts.

I lack

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a deficiency.

I am without

This option is slightly more literary and emphasizes the absence.

I'm missing

This indicates a lack, often of something expected or required.

I'm lacking

Similar to 'I lack', but can also refer to a temporary state.

I possess no

This is a formal and emphatic way of saying that something is not owned or available.

I'm short of

Indicates a deficiency, often related to resources or supplies.

I'm devoid of

Emphasizes a complete absence of something, often intangible.

FAQs

How to use "I haven't got" in a sentence?

You can use "I haven't got" to express a lack of something, such as "I haven't got any money" or "I haven't got time for that".

What can I say instead of "I haven't got"?

You can use alternatives like "I don't have", "I do not have", or "I lack" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I haven't got" or "I don't have"?

Both "I haven't got" and "I don't have" are grammatically correct, but "I haven't got" is more common in British English, while "I don't have" is more common in American English.

What's the difference between "I haven't got" and "I haven't gotten"?

"I haven't got" is used to express the absence of something, whereas "I haven't gotten" (more common in American English) typically means "I haven't obtained" or "I haven't become" something.