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Definition 2024
-'ve
've
See also: Appendix:Variations of "ve"
English
Verb
've
- Have in its sense marking the perfect or retrospective tense.
- (dialect) Have in its other uses.
- 1996, Deirdre Purcell, Roses After Rain, p. 335:
- "...Where's the ladies' in this joint? I've to powder me nose."
- 1996, Deirdre Purcell, Roses After Rain, p. 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"), &c. In others, -'ve is used more broadly; this is sometimes proscribed.