have got

USAGE SUMMARY

"have got" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe something that you possess, for example: "I have got a new car!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They have got one.

The Economist

Things have got better.

The Economist

We have got to win".

The New York Times

NGOs have got involved too.

The Economist

And things have got worse.

The Economist

"They have got demographic problems.

Independent

Could have got more, whatever.

The New York Times - Sports

"We have got the assets.

Independent

Your legs have got smaller.

Independent

We have got President Obama.

The New York Times

The roads have got better.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have got" in informal contexts to express possession or obligation. For formal writing, consider using "have", "possess", or "must".

Common error

Avoid using "have got" excessively in formal writing. Instead, opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "possess" or "own" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have got" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating possession or obligation. It is commonly used to express that someone possesses something or is required to do something, as shown in Ludwig's examples. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have got" is a common verb phrase used to express possession or obligation, particularly in informal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that "have got" is a correct and usable phrase in written English. While "have got" is widely accepted, more formal alternatives such as "possess" or "must" may be preferred in academic or professional settings. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media, indicating its broad appeal, but might be less appropriate for highly formal or scientific writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have

A simpler, more direct alternative, often interchangeable in many contexts.

own

A simpler verb to indicate ownership, suitable for less formal contexts.

possess

Replaces "have got" with a more formal verb indicating ownership.

need to

Expresses necessity or requirement, similar to "have got to".

be obliged to

Replaces "have got to" when expressing obligation or necessity.

be the owner of

Specifies ownership in a clear and direct manner.

must

A modal verb indicating obligation, stronger than "have got to".

be in possession of

A formal phrase indicating ownership or control.

be required to

A more formal way of expressing obligation.

be the recipient of

Suggests that someone or something has received something.

FAQs

When should I use "have got" instead of "have"?

"Have got" is generally used in informal contexts, especially in British English, to indicate possession or obligation. "Have" is more versatile and suitable for both formal and informal situations. While often interchangeable, "have" might be preferable in formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "have got to"?

Alternatives include "must", "need to", or "be obliged to", depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "have got" grammatically correct?

Yes, "have got" is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in spoken English and informal writing. It's considered an acceptable way to express possession or obligation.

What's the difference between "have got" and "had got"?

"Have got" is used in the present tense to indicate current possession or obligation (e.g., "I have got a car"). "Had got" is the past perfect form, indicating that someone possessed something or was obligated to do something at a point in the past (e.g., "I had got my ticket before they sold out").