I have to do/I've got to do (gotta)
Is there any difference between "I have to do" and "I have got to do" (gotta)? Are both used in American English?

Thanks in advance!

Question

I have to do/I've got to do (gotta)
Is there any difference between "I have to do" and "I have got to do" (gotta)? Are both used in American English?

Thanks in advance!

Answer

Got just adds emphasis on the necessity of doing it, but it doesn't change the meaning, and unless you really emphasize got in speaking, it can sound sloppy. Without strong emphasis on got, "I've got to do this" sounds a bit better than "I have got to do this." It's totally unnecessary though because you could just emphasize have for the same effect. Both are used though.

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