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've. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
've, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
've in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
've you have here. The definition of the word
've will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
've, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
Contraction of have.
Pronunciation
- (postvocalic) IPA(key): /v/
- (postconsonantal) IPA(key): /əv/, /ə/
- Homophone: of (postconsonantal 've only, unstressed of only)
Verb
've (clitic)
- Have (in its sense marking the perfect or retrospective tense).
2015 November 30, Shane O'Mara, Why Torture Doesn’t Work: The Neuroscience of Interrogation, Harvard University Press, →ISBN, page 12:Santorum, in a comment regarding Senator John McCain's repudiation of torture, stated, "He doesn't understand how enhanced interrogation works. I mean, you break somebody, and after they've broken they become cooperative" (Summers 2011).
- (dialect) Have (in its other uses).
1845 March, “Editor’s Table”, in The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, volume XXV, New York, N.Y.: John Allen, , page 267, columns 1–2:Do n’t tell me you ‘have n’t got time,’ / That other things claim your attention; / There ’s not the least reason or rhyme / In the wisest excuse you can mention: / Do n’t tell me about ‘other fish,’ / Your duty is done when you buy ’em; / And you never will relish the dish, / Unless you ’ve a woman to ‘fry ’em.’
1996, Deirdre Purcell, Roses After Rain, page 335:
Usage notes
In many dialects, -'ve is only used to mark the perfect aspect ("I've done something" = "I have done something"), not to signify possession ("I have something"), necessity ("I have to do something"), etc. In others, -'ve is used more broadly; this is sometimes proscribed.
See also
Anagrams