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Usage Glossary: A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

get/got/gotten

Get is the present tense form of the verb. Got is the past tense form as well as one of the two alternatives for the past participle. The other alternative for the past participle is gotten, which is generally preferred in the United States.


We get our raw materials from companies in Texas and Nevada.

We got our raw materials from companies in Texas and Nevada.

We have always gotten our chemicals from companies in Texas and Nevada.


In informal contexts, many speakers use have got, 've got, or simply got to mean "have" or "must." You should avoid this usage of the verb get in your writing; instead, use have or must.


Weak

We have got several problems on our hands.

Improved

We have several problems on our hands.

Unacceptable

We got several problems on our hands.

Acceptable

We have several problems on our hands.

Weak

We've got to find a solution to our problems.

Improved

We must find a solution to our problems.


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