How do you use the word "gotta" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "gotta": I gotta keep on movin'. I gotta try to do my best.

Gotta Meaning

/ˈɡɒtə/

Definition, CEFR level A1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

verbSynonym of have got to, have to

verbContraction of got + a.

Sentence Examples

I gotta keep on movin'.

I gotta try to do my best.

It ain't like we gotta sell stuff, you know.

CEFR Practice Quiz

I ____ finish my homework tonight or I will get a zero.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

I ____ finish this project before the deadline tomorrow, or my boss will be extremely disappointed.

Word Origin & History

Contraction of got + to.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"“All right, let’s go. They must have sake, eh? Oh, Izuna, will you come along?” “If they have fish or meat, you don’t gotta ask, please.”" — 2016, Yuu Kamiya, translated by Daniel Komen, No Game No Life, volume 4:

"Clavicular, characteristically, attributed his good luck with the criminal justice system to his looks. “You just gotta mog,” he posted on X, above a screenshot of a news headline." — 2026 February 13, Joseph Bernstein, “Handsome at Any Cost”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 14 Feb 2026:

"I gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night" — 2009, The Black Eyed Peas, I Gotta Feeling:

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