Grammatically Correct at the Age of Four

The word "got," although still considered informal slang, is so widely used in the English language these days. One can find this discrepancy utilized by every profession, rather in conversations with co-workers, meetings in the corporate office, a visit to the family doctor or even a quiet read through the Sunday paper. I just don't understand its popularity and I cringe each time I hear it.

I have got to put an end to this! Do you hear how redundant that sounds? One could simply leave 'got' out entirely and emphasize 'have' to make their point.

My children call me the Gramma' Queen simply because I have a strong inclination to use our first language correctly. I am always correcting their speech, mid-sentence. They hate it! However, they don't complain when they need assistance with a writing assignment.

I will never forget the prideful expression on my oldest (now 16) son's face when he had the opportunity to correct his father's speech. He was absolutely beaming! The correction, though, was slightly off course.

Brandon was four years old when he ran up to my brother saying, "Look what I got! Look what I got!"

We examined the slimy toad he had found in our backyard and joined him in his excitement. We then tried to explain how "got" is not the proper term to use.

"Brandon, 'got' is not a word. Instead, you would say, 'Look what I have.'"

"Alright." Brandon replied.

I was not sure if he actually absorbed the lesson until that following Sunday. We were all in the car, ready to go to church. About halfway down the driveway, Brandon's father stopped backing the car. He slapped his hand on the steering wheel saying, "Oh man! I forgot my Bible!"

As he put the car in park and was preparing to exit the vehicle, Brandon quickly stood up, pressed his chest against the back of the driver's seat, put his hand on his father's shoulder to stop him, and screamed with excitement, "No Daddy! You didn't forgot your Bible! You for-HAVED your Bible!"