Booher's Rules of Business Grammar - Dianna Booher 2009

Got trouble?
Miscellaneous matters

HAVE VERSUS GOT

Do you have trouble, or have you got trouble?

Replace got with have or has in situations when you mean having in possession. If you mean gotten in the sense that someone has received or acquired something, then by all means, grab it and go with it. Examples:

Clumsy:

Dilbert has got four engineers on his redesign team. (in possession)

Improved:

Dilbert has four engineers on his redesign team.

Clumsy:

Ebeneezer has got money to spend for his vacation. (in possession)

Improved:

Ebeneezer has money to spend for his vacation.

Clumsy:

Hortense has got a big decision to make this week.

Improved:

Hortense has a big decision to make this week.

Correct:

The company has gotten plenty of recognition for this award. (acquired, received)

I’ve gotten four complaints this month. (emphasis on received)

Also correct:

I have received four complaints this month.

Memory tip

Think of baseball: the center fielder sees a fly ball coming toward him and yells, “I’ve got it!” as he lunges to make the catch. (He’s acquiring the ball.) Once it’s in his glove, he has it.