This is the Business English Podcast, Episode 99.
Should you say got in Business English? Welcome to the Business English podcast from All Ears English.
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Well, yeah. So, I mean, this is an invite only.
It's only for students in our courses. Anyone who's ever purchased a course from All Ears English is invited to these fluency parties where we come, we connect, we practice.
I am so excited for this brand new format of the connection method, Aubrey. i know right we want to see you guys that's one downside of podcasting yeah we don't always get to talk to you to to speak with you so i'm excited about these fluency parties that'll give us a chance to do that so yeah get into one of our courses you can come to the next fluency party exactly we're slowly rolling it out for members of the courses and you know this year as you join a course you will probably most likely be invited to a fluency party good stuff OK, Aubrey, I do want to make sure our listeners know where else you podcast, where else you podcast, like where else are you in this Apple Spotify world?
Yes, you guys, we you don't want to miss out on the IELTS Energy podcast. especially if you're studying for the IELTS exam or might someday in the future.
Or if you know a friend who's studying for IELTS, make sure they know about it.
The IELTS Energy Podcast, Jessica and I are over there two episodes every week with lots of IELTS strategies.
This test is very specific. You have to have strategies in order to get the scores you need.
And also vocabulary that you can use speaking and writing so that because, yeah, it's a tough exam, guys.
You need tips. yeah but you guys over there you just go really make it fun you know in line with the way we you know we take learning at allers english in a way that we give you the skills you need but we make it it feels a bit more like entertainment we're going to entertain you we're going to have fun together and you guys absolutely none of the episodes are boring the ielts exam it's incredible so send your friends there go over there yourself share it with anyone who you know is taking the ielts exam okay Good.
Yes. OK, we're diving into some grammar today.
We will share a question we got about have got and got.
And then we're going to talk about should we say got in business English, right?
Is it too informal? There are several meanings just for have got.
So we're going to go into it. There's quite a bit of information here, but we're going to make it fun.
Yeah, this is going to be big today. I think a lot of our listeners have this question.
They may not know that they have the question, but they have the question.
So thank you to Anthony from Nice, France for asking.
Should I go ahead and ask the question? Okay.
Absolutely. So Anthony says, foremost, I'd like to thank you for your podcast.
Awesome. He follows us on YouTube too. He says it's helped me improve my English skills a lot.
That's so good, Aubrey. I'm happy that people are following us over on YouTube as well.
Yeah, absolutely. Right. If you guys prefer a video podcast, check us out on YouTube for sure.
All right. So he says, I have a question for you.
What is the difference between have, get and got?
I have the feeling that the meaning is the same in certain cases.
That's why I'm confused. I'm sure you can bring me a clear explanation.
Thank you, Anthony from Nice, France. Such a good question.
And we are going to dive into this. The real trick is between have and have got.
That's where the confusion comes in. He's asking about have, get and got.
So first of all, we'll just clarify, right?
These are two separate verbs to have and to get.
I'm going to just quickly define those with some examples.
And then we're going to get into the real meat of where confusion comes in for language learners.
All right. So I am ready. So let's go with the easy one.
Let's start with easy things first. Have, right?
To possess, to own or to hold. Yes. And the past tense is had, right?
So I have a new coworker or in the past tense, I had a coworker, but they quit.
Right. Or in the past tense, she had a bigger office at our old building, but now we've moved to a new building and she has a small one.
Exactly. And then we have the separate verb to get, which means to obtain or to receive.
And the past tense of that verb get is got.
So did you get my message or I got your message?
Or I got a promotion. Anything that you're talking about get in the past tense is got.
We know that. Right? Yes. And that is not informal, right?
That's just the verb get in the past tense, the word got.
What's really tricky here is sometimes got is very informal.
And that's there's it's a different meaning.
It's different. And so that's where you have to differentiate between got as get in the past.
Okay. And got with have got. So that's what we're going to dive into here.
It's confusing. yeah we're gonna so the easy part of the episode's over but don't worry guys because we're all about connection here and you know we're going to clarify it for you and then you're going to start to hear the patterns and how exactly yeah so let's dive into this we want to clarify any confusion the tricky thing is that have and have got have the exact same meaning, but have got is more informal than have.
So listen to these two example sentences.
I have got a new car. We almost always make it a contraction.
I've got, I've got a new car or I have a new car.
Right. All we're doing is we're making it more informal by adding that.
Okay. and this is not get in the past right it just means i have a new car i've got a new car because if it were the past you would need i've gotten a new car right you would need to go for a different grammar tense different past participle exactly so that's what trips up students as they see got and they assume it's always get in the past it's not oh very tricky here's some more examples So having have got is usually contract is contracted and have.
Can you explain that to us? So I kind of mentioned this already.
So when I said I have got a new car, we would never say that.
We almost always contract. It's almost always a contraction.
I've got a new car. Whereas have as the main verb isn't.
Right. I wouldn't say I've a new job. Never.
I have a new job, but I do say I've got a new job.
I've got a new job. So you might say that when you're excited.
Hey, I've got a new job. This is awesome.
Very native and natural to say I've got instead of I have.
We do it all the time. What about the present simple tense?
What about the present tense? Yes. So have got can only be used in the present simple tense.
Right. Whereas have as a normal verb, of course, can be used in any verb tense.
So we would say I've got fun co-workers just means I have fun co-workers.
But we can't use that in other verb tenses.
Right. She's got good handwriting. It's all present tense.
And then, for example, if I want to use present continuous, I would have to say I am having fun or I'm having fun.
I could never say I've got fun or I've got having fun.
Right. I just can't use it in other verb tenses.
Yeah, it's much more it's kind of more of an expression than anything.
Exactly. It's like slang sort of right. Yeah.
I've got I've got. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I like it. Anything else we need to know here?
Yeah, just another verb tense example, present perfect.
You could say, I have had fun, but you could not add got there in any way.
You couldn't say, I've got had fun. Like, no, there's no way to add got unless it's present simple and it just means the same as I have, I've got.
Oh, okay. Okay. So that's the important thing to know.
You know, we're really leaning more towards just a saying, an expression, kind of a chunk, right?
Exactly. Should we think about it in terms of chunks?
Yeah, I think that's smart, right? To think about it means the exact same thing as I have.
Natives use it all the time. You're going to hear it all the time.
And sometimes you will have that second to think about, okay, are they using get in the past when they say I've got?
Yeah. No, right? If you think about the context, if it means the same as I have, then you can say I've got.
I've got a new job. I have a new job. It means the exact same thing.
So yeah, it's a chunk. It means I have. That's super clear.
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Exclusions apply. See details online. Okay, so I feel like our listeners are getting some clarity here, Aubrey, right?
So we can differentiate between a chunk versus literally conjugating an entire verb into all these different verb tenses.
That's where we want our listeners to be thinking, yeah?
Yes, exactly. Right. You have to be a little careful because we can't use it in expressions.
Like if you're going to say have an argument, we wouldn't say we've got an argument.
Right. It's really that I have of like ownership, possession.
So like you said, it's a chunk. It's an expression.
It's a chunk when you're talking about possessing something.
Yeah, yeah. Not just a physical object though, right?
So I've got some ideas, right? No, good point, right?
You can possess your own ideas, right? But yeah, not physical ownership necessarily.
Okay. A little tricky. So now here's the thing.
There are three more meanings of have got besides the one that we shared there, right?
We shared that it can mean have, same as have, but it's used in three other contexts.
So we're going to share these with example sentences because you're going to hear have got a lot.
Okay, so these are kind of special cases, yeah?
They're not necessarily the rule, they're kind of special examples, would you say?
They're all, I guess they're all sort of different chunks of have got.
It just, depending on the context, it can mean these different things.
So let's share an example and you'll see.
Number one is it can mean need or should.
Like, for example, you guys have got to see this.
Mm-hmm. right and here you can have the contraction or not we could say you guys have got to see this we often will smush those together guys you know you guys have gotta you guys have got to see this and of course you can say if you want to be more textbook you could say you guys have to see this Right.
Right. Exactly. It doesn't you don't have to have the got and it does make it more informal here again to add got.
You can just say you have to see this or you have got to see this, which we often squish into.
You've got to see this. Yeah. But when you say you've got to see that, it just adds a little more expression.
Kind of makes me think of like different movie scenes.
You've got to see this. Right. I don't know.
Right. It's all about how informal you want to be, how much you want to emphasize.
Because, yeah, you're right. We'll split that out if we want to say you have got to see this.
You're emphasizing more. You need all those syllables for all of the emphasis you want.
Right. Or if you have gossip, right, you've got to hear this.
Right. Exactly. Right. We use that one all the time.
And it just means you should hear this. You need to hear this.
Yeah. So that's the need should example.
Number two is deduction. Tell us about that.
Yeah. So for example, this has got to be a tough time for you, right?
This is, you're deducing something, you're figuring something out, right?
And so we use this, you could just say, oh, this has to be a tough time.
This has to be a tough time for you. But we'll often add that got to make it just a little more informal, almost soften it a little bit, right?
Okay. And again, gotta, we're going to run those together and be like, oh, it's got to be a tough time for you.
Right. I like it. I like it. Or this must be a tough time for you.
Could be another more standard way to say it.
Yes. Right. And both. It's just that deduction.
Right. I'm guessing or I'm assuming this.
Oh, it must be like this. I love it. And the third one is understanding.
So what do we mean by understanding? Right.
Yeah. So if you want to tell someone you understand something, you could say, I have it, meaning I understand.
We'll often say, I've got it, right? If you've tried to figure out a problem and you finally understand, we'll often say, got it, or I've got it.
So for most to least formal, you could say, I have it, then I've got it.
And then even more informal, just I got it or got it.
It's really, really informal there. Yeah.
And because our business culture, our company culture is pretty informal.
You know, back and forth. I'll say if someone says, you know, communicate something to me and I want to say I understand.
Got it. Right. Just reply with a got it.
That's totally fine. Exactly right. A text or an email.
That's all you need. Got it. And that means I understand.
I've got it. We're shortening it to its barest form.
Got it. This is also kind of an empathy tool, too.
I'm thinking like if someone's explaining something. kind of the backstory and why something really matters it's a way of reflecting back what you've heard if you're a friend listening got it so this really mattered to you right you know good point we almost use it as like a filler but it's true it's a filler that that expresses empathy we're wanting them to know we're listening we understand we'll say oh got it very useful guys a connection skill that you really want to fill in the blanks here and add this into your repertoire Absolutely.
That you want. Yeah. Yeah. And then we want to talk about in business English.
Can you say have got because it is quite a bit more informal or should you say have?
What do you think, Lindsay? Yeah. I mean, I don't know if I would write it on a slide.
I've got we've got at our company. We've got 100 employees.
Right. I don't think I would write that.
No, it is more informal. Yeah. So we definitely recommend to use have in more formal situations like slide presentations, job interviews, and then have got is great for informal scenarios.
Talking with coworkers before a meeting or at happy hour.
Absolutely. yeah i i wouldn't i would just edit that a little bit like i wouldn't put it on a slide i might say it in a present i don't think it'd be the worst thing if you said you know okay we've got this challenge at our company our industry is changing i don't think it's the worst thing That's a good point.
We might say it while we're presenting. It's just going to come out naturally, right?
We've got a problem we need to deal with instead of we have a problem.
Because you're right. And as we give presentations, as we're speaking, it just comes out more informally.
Nowadays, especially, you just need to sound human in your presentation and keep people awake.
That's true. And that really is a big difference between we have and we've got.
It is more human. It's just the way we speak.
Keeps people awake. I love it. Okay. Do we have a role play?
Yeah, let's do it. So in this role play, we met a few days ago at an industry conference.
We've run into each other again. Want to start us out?
All right. Hello again. What do you have there?
Oh, I've got the tote they handed out this morning.
Ah, got it. There's got to be more. Hopefully.
I've got to get one. nice okay so we used each of them here we can go back and go through them the first one you just said what do you have there that's that very first verb to have yeah own to have possession of yeah and this is a nice opener like we met once at a conference so i want to be friendly not overly intrusive hello again what do you have there right it's kind of fun friendly but also still not too casual Yes, I agree.
Right. This is perfect for a second meeting to find, you know, to ask about something that's a little different.
Maybe it's their name tag. Maybe it's their tote.
Maybe, you know, whatever it is, ask about it.
Such an easy conversation starter. Yeah, and for our listeners, guys, as you go to these conferences in English-speaking countries, as you probably are starting to, right?
We are all doing this. You're gonna see people multiple times throughout the week, right?
Absolutely. Passing them in the hallways, the big convention centers.
So you should be ready to move that relationship forward every time you see them you don't have to always stop people don't be weird like that right but if there's a chance you happen to be in line you just run into the same people over and over even at huge conferences right absolutely right you don't want to just make eye contact smile and not and keep walking every time if you both seem like you have time it's between a meeting yeah take that opportunity and be ready know what you could ask about what you could say that's such a great skill The magic at conferences really happens in between the sessions.
You know, who you happen to be in line with, who you're sitting next to at the keynote.
It's not the things you learn. It's who you meet.
Of course, we know that. Yeah, absolutely.
True. So then this next one, Lindsay, you said, you know, you had said, what do you have there?
And I said, oh, I've got the tote. And this is where same meaning I could say I have the tote they handed out.
But most native speakers are more likely to say I've got the tote.
It's just a little more informal. Yeah, more friendly. i totally agree with that use there i think in that moment it might feel a little formal it wouldn't be like a flag it wouldn't be like oh she's saying something strange but it just feels more casual and communicative to reach out and say i've got the tote right i've got the tote exactly and with this episode now you guys know even if i'm saying i've got the tote it doesn't necessarily flag in your mind past tense of to get nope yeah it just means i have i've got Yeah.
And you could also say that you could say, I've got the tote.
I got it this morning. Right. That's right.
Then you're saying past tense. When did you get it?
I got it this morning. And then I say, ah, got it.
Not meaning I received it this morning. Right.
I'm saying I understand. Right. Exactly.
That use of got where. And it really means I've got it.
Like I understand. But we almost always shorten it to just got it.
I got it. Oh my gosh. I think we could build a whole course on debt in English.
It's so true. It's crazy how many chunks have got, right?
Oh, I'm so excited. So many meanings. This has been really interesting.
And then I said, there's got to be more.
That's that deduction. There has got to be more, but I squish it together.
There's got to be. Yes. And then you said, oh, I've got to get one, right?
I said, hopefully, I've got to get one. I have to get one.
It's this coveted item. That need, right?
It means I need to get one. I should get one.
But instead we'll say, oh, I got to get one.
Yeah. And just to make sure, I'm not sure if we defined this earlier, but just to make sure the word tote, what are we talking about?
Oh, I don't know if we did define. That's a good point, right?
It's a little tote bag. So not a backpack, but one that has a strap that goes over your shoulder.
Often these will be handed out at conferences or something for you to keep papers and notes and things in.
Yeah, add some. Every conference that I've ever been to, they give you that bag with all these things.
They put all the cards from the companies that are exhibiting, right?
Their ads, their free deals, pencils. It's usually branded, right?
The tote will have a big brand on it. Yes.
Yeah. So that's a tote, a little tote bag.
Yeah. Good stuff. Exactly. Right. We'd either say tote bag or we just shorten it and say tote.
And it's spelled T-O-T-E. That'll definitely be in the app vocab.
Make sure you get the app so that you can get this vocabulary really easily.
This has been such a good episode. It's so important that we attack get, got, have got, gotten, all the gots.
So Aubrey, what's our takeaway for today?
Yeah, I think this word could be extremely confusing, especially if you don't realize that got doesn't always mean the past tense of get, right?
So today's tips can really help you know the way it's used informally so you know when to use it in business English.
Yeah, and if this episode brought up another question for you, we really want your question. because I feel like the best episodes come from the best questions, right?
So guys, send your question. Can we give them your email address, Aubrey?
Sure, absolutely, right? Aubrey at allearsenglish.com.
Send in your questions. I often write the episodes, and so it's really easy.
If I can get your questions, then we'll turn it into an episode.
Yeah, send us a good one and hit follow on All Ears English.
No, on Business English. Business English.
I mean, follow All Ears English too, guys.
Right. But definitely make sure you follow this podcast, Business English.
I love it. Good stuff, Aubrey. Talk to you soon.
Take care. Awesome. Bye. Bye. Thank you for listening to Business English, a podcast just for you, the high achieving global professional.
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