Plural subject contraction
They've is the contraction of "they have," used both as an auxiliary verb and as a main verb indicating possession.
They've been waiting for hours.
They've got three kids now.
Common in speech and informal writing, less so in formal contexts.
IDEA.org / Words / they've
Plural subject contraction
They've is the contraction of "they have," used both as an auxiliary verb and as a main verb indicating possession.
They've been waiting for hours.
They've got three kids now.
Common in speech and informal writing, less so in formal contexts.
1. possession — gotten, Obtained, past participle; acquired (Came to possess); obtained (Came into possession); accumulated (Gradually collected or gathered); gathered · collected · amassed · received · inherited · earned · gained · owned · kept · held
have, they, them, their, having, theirs, themselves, thou, they're
Word data: Linguabase (CC0) · www.idea.org/words/they've