gotta (have got to) + american english

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Globetrotter  #124331  Fri, 05 Aug 05 10:32 PM
hello
I have the impression that american people tend to use have and british tend to use have got. is that correct?Also, i have the impression that they tend to use have to and brits tend to use must. Is that correct, too?

However, I do have the impression that gotta is very very common in american english. MUCH more common than have to.

For example, I've never heard that some1 in a film says: i have to go. its always: I gotta go. I gotta go to school. i gotta go to the restroom.

If so, is there any explanation for that? maybe because gotta is one word and have to ar two words?

Is there any differnece between have to and gotta as far as talking is concerned? maybe one is stronger?

regards

  
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Mister Micawber  #124372  Sat, 06 Aug 05 02:32 AM

Gotta is not a word, but is a written description of an informal pronunciation extremely common in spoken (American) English.  Have to /'hæf tə/ and have got to /'ga də/, are synonymous, and I use both in about equal proportions.

Others will have more to say on this, no doubt.

  
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