Is "I've got" proper English now?

Mike H.B2Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Is "I've got" proper English now?

One of the quiz answers is "I've got other friends".  My high school English teacher would say that's not bad English, it's horrible English.  It should be "I have other friends".

Asked 4 years ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Regional variations in usage. It is widely used by many native English speakers - therefore 'correct' in descriptive grammar. Your teacher seems to have taken a prescriptive approach to grammar. 

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/have-got-to-and-have-to?q=Have+got+to+and+have+to

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

It’s pretty much accepted in colloquial English. It isn’t ‘bad’ English, just a different register of the language. 

Is "I've got" proper English now?

One of the quiz answers is "I've got other friends".  My high school English teacher would say that's not bad English, it's horrible English.  It should be "I have other friends".

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