Do you accept words like 'Gotten'

by A.L Star
25th January 2012

I've just seen a thread on 'Writers forums' that most people don't accept American words in British books. So my question is, do you mind American words written by British people, or don't you mind as long as the word is used in the right context?

Replies

yes the word 'gotten' is a us word its a past participle of 'get', but for me which ever way it is used it doesnt matter as long as it fits the sentence.

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Barbara
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Barbara McClenaghan
17/06/2012

Cathy Cole is correct. The word 'gotten' is not an American word. It originated in the English Language, but through the evolution of our language, the last two letters were dropped, hence the word 'got'. However, the original word 'gotten' was exported to the Americas, five hundred years ago, and continued to be used to this day.

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Jean Kotzur
18/02/2012

I agree with cathy Cole. Gotten can be used in a formal way if there is no alternative word. It is the past participle of get and we use past participles of course with has, have, is, are was, were. If for the purpose of 'conversational tone', gotten or got I believe is acceptable.

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Salee Reyes
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