Hi! This is Amy with Go Places English and today I want to talk about the linking and reduction of HAVE GOT TO in American English.

HAVE GOT TO is another way to say “have to.”

Notice the pattern is HAVE GOT TO plus a verb.

HAVE GOT TO is often linked and reduced in spoken American English. Typically HAVE is used in the form of a contraction.

For example:

I’ve

You’ve

We’ve

They’ve

GOT TO is linked and reduced to sound like one word. GAH-DUH. The T in GOT is softened to sound like a D, also known as Flap T. GAH-DUH.

Let’s practice the pronunciation together with the pronoun I.

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

Good. Sometimes, the contracted form of HAVE, ‘VE, is further reduced and even eliminated in spoken English. I’ve got to (I’ve gotta) can also be pronounced I’ve got to (I gotta).

Let’s practice this version of the reduction and linking.

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

I’ve got to

Good job. Now let’s practice in some sentences. First we will practice I’ve gotta.

I’ve got to get going.

I’ve got to leave the office now.

I’ve got to finish my work first.

I’ve got to get home by six.

I’ve got to cook dinner.

I’ve got to finish my homework.

I’ve got to go to bed early.

I’ve got to get my beauty rest.

Good, now let’s practice the second pronunciation, I gotta.

I’ve got to take off.

I’ve got to go to the dentist.

I’ve got to have my tooth checked.

I’ve got to figure out what’s wrong with it.

After that I’ve got to meet my friends for coffee.

I’ve got to be at the coffee shop by noon.

We’ve got to get together more often.

Okay, I’ve got to run now.

Nice work. Try using I’VE GOT TO in your own sentences, and write them in the comments.

Now, take out your notebook and a pen or pencil and get ready for a pop quiz! Write the number 1 if you hear me say I’VE GOT TO (I’ve gotta) and write a number 2 if you hear me say I’VE GOT TO (I gotta).

Ready?

  1. I’ve got to get ready for work. (2)
  2. I’ve got to get my hair cut this week. (1)
  3. You’ve got to tell me what happened. (1)
  4. I’ve got to practice speaking English more often. (2)
  5. You’ve got to come with me to this event. (2)
  6. You’ve got to try this new restaurant. (1)

Good. Check your answers in the transcript located in the description of this video. Let me know how many you got right in the comments.

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