18. I hadn’t got time

• I hadn’t got time to finish the report. ❌
• I didn’t have time to finish the report. ✅

“Have got” is common in British English. It’s only used in the present tense. “Had got” is not correct.

The past forms are “had” or “didn’t have”

Present vs Past

Present – Both forms are acceptable (British English):

• I don’t have time right now. ✅
• I haven’t got time right now. ✅ (more informal, BrE)

Both mean the same and are interchangeable in British English.

*Note: In North American English, “have got” is rarely used and sounds odd. Americans would almost always say: “I don’t have time.”

Past tense: 

• I didn’t have time yesterday. ✅
• I hadn’t got time yesterday. ❌

Why?

“Have got” is a present tense form used for possession, relationships, necessity, etc. And it does not have a past tense equivalent.

19. According to me

• According to me, this is the best solution. ❌
• In my opinion, this is the best solution. ✅
• I think this is the best solution. ✅

“According to” is used to cite other people or sources of information, not yourself. It’s way of referencing what someone else said or what’s written somewhere.

When you want to express your own opinion, use phrases like:

• In my opinion….
• I think/ We believe….
• From my perspective….
• To me (often at the end)….
• As far as I’m/ we’re concerned…

Correct usage of “According to”:

According to + someone else/ a source:

• According to the weather forecast, it’ll rain tomorrow.
• According to my doctor, I need more exercise.
• According to recent studies, sleep is crucial for learning.

Expressing your opinion – Alternatives:

Informal:

• I think it’s a great idea.
• I reckon we should leave early. (British English)
• I’d say that’s the best option.

Neutral:

• In my opinion, we need more time.
• In my view, this is essential.
• From my perspective, both options have merit.
• The design looks outdated to me.

Formal:

• It is my belief that this approach will succeed.
• As far as I’m concerned, the matter is settled. 

20. Make a party

• We’re making a party for Sarah’s birthday. ❌
• We’re having a party for Sarah’s birthday. ✅
• We’re throwing a party for Sarah’s birthday. ✅

In English, we don’t “make” parties! This is a direct translation error from many languages. But English uses different verbs. We think of parties as events we “have” or “throw”, not things we construct or create. It’s one of those collocations that just doesn’t translate directly.

The confusion also comes from the fact that we do use “make” with lots of other things:

• make dinner ✅
• make plans ✅
• make arrangements ✅
• make preparations ✅

Correct collocation with “party”:

have a party – most common, neutral

• We’re having a party next Saturday.
• They had a party to celebrate their anniversary.
• Are you having a party for your graduation?

throw a party – more informal, sometimes suggests being done on behalf of someone else

• Let’s throw a party for her promotion!
• They threw a huge party at their new house.
• We should throw a surprise party for Mum.

Other party-related expressions:

• go to a party => I’m going to a party tonight.
• attend a party => (more formal) Will you be attending the party?
• host a party => They’re hosting a party at their flat.
• organise a party => Who’s organising the party?
• plan a party =? We’re planning a party for next month.