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 theverb. Got is the pasttense form as well as one of the two alternatives for the past participle. The other alternative for thepast participle is gotten, which is generally preferred inthe United States.

We got our raw materials from companies inTexas and Nevada.

We have always gotten our chemicals fromcompanies in Texas and Nevada.

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

Weak

We have got several problems on ourhands.

Improved

We have several problems on ourhands.

Unacceptable

We got several problems on ourhands.

Acceptable

We have several problems on ourhands.

Weak

We've got to find a solution to ourproblems.

Improved

We must find a solution to ourproblems.

## get/got/gotten ##


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