Is this right? "have to=have got to=got to"

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Marius Hancu

#490796 Wed, 19 Mar 08 08:32 PM

CoolBreeze said:

>I have got to do this is not used in the past tense and only the affirmative form is possible

I wouldn't be so sure.

"I had got to do" is found in BrE, these are just some examples from the BBC, if you need something from the literature I'm sure I saw it therein too Smile

[link]

Marius Hancu

Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006

Montreal, Canada

Veteran Member (11,673)

Tenses, Literature, Past Tenses

Cool Breeze

#490804 Wed, 19 Mar 08 08:45 PM

Marius Hancu
CoolBreeze said:
>I have got to do this is not used in the past tense and only the affirmative form is possible
I wouldn't be so sure.
"I had got to do" is found in BrE, these are just some examples from the BBC, if you need something from the literature I'm sure I saw it therein too
[link]

Hi Marius

You are right. There are lots of examples. I'll have to reword what I said: In my opinion I have got to do this is incorrect if used in the past tense. Smile

Cool Breeze

Joined on Fri, Apr 7 2006

Helsinki, Finland

Senior Member (3,004)

The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.- Mark Twain

Tenses, Literature, Past Tenses

Jun-god

#490958 Thu, 20 Mar 08 09:31 AM

Wow, Thank you so much for your answers, teachers all around world~ Smile

and especially, CJ's explanation was great, that was just what I wanted to know! thanks!!

Jun-god

Joined on Tue, Jul 17 2007

Seoul, South Korea

New Member (09)

To infinity, and beyond! -------------------------- I'm learning English. If you find any mistakes in my writing Please, correct me. It will hepls me a lot. Thank you...

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