Verb "To Have Got"

Form and basic uses

Have got is often used in conversation and in less formal writing with the same meaning as have.

I have got three children.

You have got a problem.

Have got, has got, and had got are not usually pronounced in full. When you write down what someone says, you usually write 've got, 's got, or 'd got.

I've got her address.

He's got a beard now.

They'd got a special grant from the Institute.

Have got is not used in formal written English, and is less common in American English than British English. The -ed participle for all the meanings below is got (not gotten) in both British and American English.

You cannot use have got for all meanings of have. You use it when you are talking about a situation or state, but not when you are talking about an event or action. For example, you say 'I've got a new car', but not 'I've got a bath every morning'.

Have got is usually used in the present tense. You don't usually use have got in future or past forms. Instead, you use have.

Will you have time to eat before you go?

I had a cold and couldn't decide whether to go to work.

Possession

Have got is most commonly used to talk about possession, relationships, and qualities or features.

I've got a very small house.

She's got two sisters.

He's got a lovely smile.

It's a nice town. It's got a beautiful cathedral.