An action is due now, though the verb looks past.
The idea
Use it's time + subject + past simple for an action that should happen now. High time adds impatience.
Examples
- It's time we left.
- It's high time the council acted.
- It's time you checked the brakes.
- It's time the children went to bed.
- It's high time I cleaned this shelf.
- It's time we stopped arguing.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic English voice on your device. Quality and availability vary; it does not assess pronunciation.
No English device voice is available. You can still read the examples.
Watch out
Do not interpret left as an action already completed; the speaker wants departure now.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. It's time we ___ the meeting. (started / start)
Show answer or example answer
started
started points to a meeting that should begin now.
Choose the correct option. It's high time she ___ a decision. (made / makes)
Show answer or example answer
made
made presents the decision as overdue.
Choose the correct option. It's time they ___ the lights. (turned off / turn off)
Show answer or example answer
turned off
turned off asks for the lights to be switched off now.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct option. It's time we ___ the meeting. (started / start)
Choose the correct option. It's high time she ___ a decision. (made / makes)
Choose the correct option. It's time they ___ the lights. (turned off / turn off)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write two overdue actions, one with high time.