ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: have [got] an idea

khoff — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 00:41:05 GMT

I've seen i've with a. english lots of times.

I would agree with this only when "have" is used with a past participle. "I've seen that; I've heard that, I've done that" all sound fine to me.

But using "I've" to show possession ("I've an idea") does not sound at all natural to me (even with a "particular intonation"). I would agree that if "I have an idea" is spoken quickly, the "have" is almost reduced to "'ve," but not quite. It would sound more like "I 'ave an idea." It would still have two syllables, although the "h" sound might well be lost. I would never write it as "I've" -- no matter how quickly I say "I have an idea," the "I have" never sounds the same as "I've" in "I've got an idea."

Re: have [got] an idea

MrPedantic — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 23:25:28 GMT

New2grammar wrote:

Here are a couple of scenarios and I'd like to know whether you would use 'I've got an idea' or 'I've an idea'

Since CJ says "I've an idea" sounds like BrE, I wouldn't use it, as the other parts of the dialogues sound non-BrE to me.

MrP

Re: have [got] an idea

Yankee — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 23:20:53 GMT

I agree with Jim, and would add that in AmE the word "have" in "I've got an idea" often disappears completely in very informal language.
In other words, in informal spoken English, "I got an idea." often means "I have an idea."

Re: have [got] an idea

Marcelinx — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 22:34:07 GMT

Hi,
In the first sentence, I'd use "I've an idea", even with American English, because I'm picturing the person saying it very quickly, she has just thought about it, and she's saying it with a particular intonation.
In the second sentence, i've got is better because they person is saying it more slowly and with a different intonation.
I've seen i've with a. english lots of times.
That's just my opinion and how I'd use it.

Re: have [got] an idea

CalifJim — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 07:18:35 GMT

In AmE the choice is between I've got an idea and I have an idea; I've an idea is not particularly AmE. It seems more like BrE to me.

I have an idea is in a higher register than I've got an idea. Both of your examples seem to be taken from casual conversation, so I prefer the slightly lower register I've got an idea for both.

CJ

Re: have [got] an idea

Marius Hancu — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:49:47 GMT

Read some of the threads here:

http://www.englishforums.com/search/have+got.htm

have [got] an idea

New2grammar — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:43:22 GMT

Here are a couple of scenarios and I'd like to know whether you would use 'I've got an idea' or 'I've an idea'

James: Now that we have had dinner and the night is still young, what else can we do?

Mary: Let me think. Ummm... I've [got] an idea. Let's go rent a movie.

Bob: Listen up, guys. I've [got] an idea. Our resident assistant has just got a new car. Anyone want to TP his car?

Thanks in advance!