I've got an idea vs. I've an idea

[soria]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #118 "Verb Tenses", question 7

So, ......... got an idea.

(a) I'd
(b) I'll
(c) I've
(d) I'm

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #118 "Verb Tenses", answer 7

So, I've got an idea.

Correct answer: (c) I've

Your answer was: correct
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So, I have "got" an idea. It seems to me that "got" is a redundant verb that also means "have". What is the grammatical relationship between "got" and "have" as two indicative verbs? "Got" is neither an adverb nor an auxilliary verb. Therefore, the sentence should better read as ... "So, I have an idea".

[Alan]

Hi,

I've got is simply the present perfect of 'get'. I've an idea is different from I've got an idea because the latter means I have acquired/found an idea.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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