"I've got to" vs "I got to"

Question

"I've got to" vs "I got to"

Both "I got to" and "I've got to" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "I got to" is the simple past form of "I get to," indicating that something happened in the past. On the other hand, "I've got to" is the contraction of "I have got to," which is used to express a necessity or obligation in the present or future.

Last Updated: March 21, 2024

Use "I've got to" when you need to convey that you must do something or have an obligation to do it.

Examples:

I've got to finish this report by tomorrow.
I've got to call my mom before I go to bed.

Alternatives:

I have to
I must
I need to
I am required to

Use "I got to" when you want to talk about something you had the opportunity to do in the past.

Examples:

Yesterday, I got to meet my favorite singer backstage.
I got to visit Paris last summer.

Alternatives:

I had the chance to
I had the opportunity to
I was able to
I managed to

Answer 1

I've got to

This phrase is correct as the contraction of "I have got to," which is used to express a necessity or obligation in the present or future.

Answer 2

I got to

This phrase is correct as the simple past form of "I get to," indicating that something happened in the past.

"I've got to" vs "I got to"

I've got to

I got to

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