got

Saying Something Exists

Level 1

Got can introduce the presence of something, with a place or time before it: Downstairs got coffee shop. This existence use is distinct from the past tense of get.

How It Works

Existential got presents something as present or available. A place may come first: Downstairs got a clinic. Got does not change its form to match one or several things, and this use does not describe receiving something.

Compare Downstairs got a clinic with I got the receipt yesterday. The first introduces a clinic's existence in a place; the second can describe obtaining a receipt. Questions such as Here got seats? ask whether something is available. Don't have can deny existence. Keep time and quantity explicit when they matter rather than expecting got alone to supply them.

Examples (4)

  1. Downstairs got a clinic.

    There is a clinic downstairs.

  2. Here got two empty seats.

    There are two empty seats here.

  3. Tomorrow got meeting.

    There is a meeting tomorrow.

  4. Inside got water or not?

    Is there water inside?

How It Connects

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gotLevel 1Saying Something Exists

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