I’ve/ I have

[UnsolicitedOpinions]

I often notice that a lot of people on MN use “I’ve” instead of “I have” in a sense that I wouldn’t do. I mean in a situation where you’re talking about owning something rather than having done something.

I wouldn’t use the phrase “I’ve two dogs” but I would use it in the sense of “I’ve cooked the dinner”

I notice that a lot of people here do though and I wondered if it is a regional thing, as I don’t hear people say it in real life either?

AIBU to ask you this? I must stress that it’s not a criticism - I just often wonder about it.

It doesn't sound unusual to me - I'm in Yorkshire - possibly a more northern England and Scottish use?

I wondered if it was Scottish or Irish. I’m from the North of England, but not near Yorkshire.

I would say “I’ve got two dogs”. From the south east.

Why wouldn't you use it in terms of ownership?

I have two dogs.

I've two dogs. (Although I'd change it to "I've got two dogs" - although I don't know why I'd add 'got'

I've (I have) noticed that most of these contractions and other 'general grammar' changes are because of the massive increase in using smart phones to communicate online, unlike the 'old days' [sic.] when most used keyboards.

So it's all down to 'fat fingers', autocorrect and auto suggestions that MN language has thus evolved. Having genuine fat fingers I still use a keyboard.

I would say "I've got two dogs", from the south of England.

I wouldn’t use it in that context. I’m from the North West.

Yes - I would also say this.

Related to this, I notice posters asking ‘have you a ...’ where I don’t think I’ve heard anyone in real life say anything other than ‘have you got’ or ‘do you have’. I find it interesting too.

Yes I have thought it could be this too - it happened when I typed something the other day.

One of my kids is off school sick and I have got it as well and I cannot tell you how many times my phone has changed “ill” to “I’ll” in all the messages and emails I’ve had to send explaining absences!

Yes - I notice this too!

This one’s definitely a dialectical difference OP. It varies depending on region.

I would say ‘I’ve got 2 dogs’. I am from Scotland.

In 'I've cooked the dinner' the 'have' is an auxiliary verb. That is also the case in 'l've got two dogs'. That does sound more natural than 'I've two dogs' where it isn't an auxiliary.

I would say "I've cooked the dinner" but "I have two dogs (well, cats!). But perhaps I would say "I've two cats" in informal speech 🤔now that I think about it. I wouldn't write it, but I might say it in casual conversation. (I'm Irish).

I'm in Scotland and would use "I've" to replace "I have" in any sentence/context (with the exception of "I have" as a complete sentence in response to a question).

Is this not the correct use?

Yes I’ve noticed that too lately.

Also omitting ‘to be’ - as in ‘the kitchen floor needs mopped’, ‘the Christmas presents need wrapped’ (I would say ‘need wrapping’ or ‘needs mopping’ if I was omitting the ‘to be’.

Dont know if that’s regional, or fits the ‘fat fingers/smartphone/text speak’ theory above ?

I think it's more usual to contract 'I have' to 'I've' when 'have' is not the main verb but you are using it with another verb.

So I would say eg I've been swimming today or I've spent much too time on Mumsnet or I've got to go shopping tomorrow.

But I wouldn't say I've a cat or I've a headache.

One thing I've (😁) noticed is the difference between Irish and UK for "I have not" - Irish would say "I haven't" whereas UK would say "I've not".

But to answer your original question, I'd say "I've two dogs" if I was speaking, but if I was writing it I'd say "I have two dogs".

But actually I've only got one dog 😅

The omitting “to be” is a regional thing. Definitely some people in Cumbria and Lancashire would say things that way - quite old people too.

I've as a replacement for I have is correct in all usage according to my grammar lessons in English Language .

I've a lot of work to do this weekend
I've not had a chance to review the figures
I've got a lovely bunch of coconuts (have a banana)

I’d say ‘I’ve 2 dogs’ in a sentence in real life I’m Scottish & live in Ireland if that helps.

Definitely 'I haven't'.

I took the OP's "I've" noticement merely as an example of the increase in grammatical contractions in MN language not as a certain 'way' that all should express themselves. Of course there's (there are) many variations in the way people say/write common words and phrases due to dialect, tradition and new grammatical 'norms'.

My own explanation above points to the new grammatical 'norms' created by the technology that most people use.

I wouldn’t - the ‘got’ is unnecessary.
I’d usually say we have a dog. (northern/live in SE)