Have/got

[mollsen]

What are some easy ways to explain the differences between have and got?

 

[Nightmare85]

**Neither a teacher nor a native speaker.**

Hi,
This is a very interesting question in my opinion.
Well, I will try to answer it

One difference is when you combine have with other verbs in Present Perfect.
You can say:
I have asked her.
Have you finished your work yet?
He has spoken.

You cannot say:
I got asked her.
Got you finished your work yet?
He got spoken. (theoretically possible, but its sense would be completely different - if there is a sense at all.)

In some other cases, have and got can replace each other - but not always.
I have a problem.
I got a problem.
I have got a problem.
You will have a problem.
You will get a problem.
I have a brother.
I got a brother.
I have got a brother.

Anyway, I believe this topic is way more complex, so I will be glad to see other opinions

Cheers!

 

[mollsen]

thank you very much nighmare. I understand your use of the perfect tenses, but what about simple tenses?


get is to aquire and have is to possess? This is the simplest explanaition I have come up with. On the right track?
I got a car
I had a car

I get cars
I have cars

I will get cars
I will have cars. This is what I find confusing.

 

[sdsu09]

"I have got a car" is typical American English. I think it means " I have gotten a car". This kind of usage confuses foreigners all the time. How do you think about " ain't"?

 

[Nightmare85]

"I have got a car" is typical American English. I think it means " I have gotten a car". This kind of usage confuses foreigners all the time. How do you think about " ain't"?

Hello,
As far as I know it simply means: "I have a car".
"I have got a car." -> Present
"I have gotten a car." -> Present Perfect.
"I haven't gotten a car for years." -> Present Perfect Progressive

Cheers!