had got to

[joham]

However, this was a time when I had got to have a passport to live in Johannesburg.

This sentence comes from my textbook in an article about Nelson Mandela. According to
Webster's Dictionary of English Usage:

Have got to, have to, and the frequently recommended must can all be used in the present tense, but only had to can be used in the past.

could we say that the 'had got to' is not correctly used in tense?

 

[lauralie2]

However, this was a time when I had got to have a passport to live in Johannesburg.

This sentence comes from my textbook in an article about Nelson Mandela. According to
Webster's Dictionary of English Usage:

Have got to, have to, and the frequently recommended must can all be used in the present tense, but only had to can be used in the past.

could we say that the 'had got to' is not correctly used in tense?

To me it sounds awkward. I understand it means "needed to" in that sentence.

 

[shoaib 1]

However, this was a time when I had got to have a passport to live in Johannesburg.

This sentence comes from my textbook in an article about Nelson Mandela. According to
Webster's Dictionary of English Usage:

Have got to, have to, and the frequently recommended must can all be used in the present tense, but only had to can be used in the past.

could we say that the 'had got to' is not correctly used in tense?

It is correct.Its equivalent in present is "has/have got to" meaning "bound to" or "can't help doing something"
"You have got to be punctual"
"A poor man has got to dream"
In your sentence, "I" was bound to have a passport.

 

[e2e4]

/A learner/

1. I've got to go immediately.
2. A car appeared. I'd got to go immediately.

What could be wrong with this sentences?:roll:

Thanks

 

[Raymott]

However, this was a time when I had got to have a passport to live in Johannesburg.

This sentence comes from my textbook in an article about Nelson Mandela. According to
Webster's Dictionary of English Usage:

Have got to, have to, and the frequently recommended must can all be used in the present tense, but only had to can be used in the past.

could we say that the 'had got to' is not correctly used in tense?

It used to be used. However, I don't think anyone uses that construction any more. (Maybe they do in South Africa). When was this written?

 

[lauralie2]

/A learner/

1. I've got to go immediately.
2. A car appeared. I'd got to go immediately.

What could be wrong with this sentences?:roll:

Thanks

The first one is OK, but the second one I'd change to "I had to get out of the way."

 

[Tdol]

In your sentence, "I" was bound to have a passport.

I was bound to have a passport is not the same as I had got to have a passport. The first implies an inevitability/certainty while the second implies an obligation.

 

[5jj]

I would not write, "had got to" - probably because I have read and heard so often that it is incorrect that I can't bring myself to leave evidence that I have produced it. But I know that I use it in everyday conversation, and I've noticed that at least some of my colleagues do so too.

I am fairly sure I always use "I'd got" rather than "I had got".