It’s Time and It’s High Time: Saying Something Should Happen
By the end: I can say an action is due now without confusing the past form with past time.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
Name the next action
It’s time to plus a base verb says an action is due. For can introduce a noun or a named person plus infinitive.
It’s time to leave.
It’s time for us to leave.
Name who should act
It’s time with a subject and a past form usually points to something that should happen now, not an earlier completed action.
It’s time we left.
It’s time you took a break.
Add a stronger judgement
It’s high time suggests that the action is overdue. It can sound impatient or critical, so use it with care.
It’s high time we fixed this door.
It’s high time they replied.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Compare form and meaning with the model.
1. Complete: It’s time ___ start.
Compare a model and explanation
to
Use an infinitive without a separate subject.
2. Complete: It’s time for ___ to leave. Refer to we.
Compare a model and explanation
us
Use the object form after for.
3. Use the target past form: It’s time we ___ home. Use go.
Compare a model and explanation
went
Went marks a present need in this construction.
4. Complete: It’s high time she ___. Use reply.
Compare a model and explanation
replied
The past form does not describe an earlier reply here.
5. Correct: It’s time we to leave.
Compare a model and explanation
It’s time we left.
With a subject, use the past clause; for us to leave is another option.
6. Does It’s time you rested mean you already rested?
Compare a model and explanation
No. It says rest is due now.
Do not infer completion.
7. Which is stronger: It’s time or It’s high time?
Compare a model and explanation
It’s high time.
It suggests the action is overdue.
8. Give a neutral and a stronger version about repairing a window.
Compare a model and explanation
It’s time to repair the window. It’s high time we repaired it.
Keep the action the same while changing the force.
A short conversation
Listen first, then open the transcript when useful.
Open the conversation transcript
A: It’s time we left. The meeting starts soon.
B: You’re right. Is Ben ready?
A: Not yet. It’s high time he got ready.
B: Let’s just remind him politely.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have a separate score.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.
Use it in your own words
Speaking 1
Name three actions that are due in an imaginary meeting.
Reveal a possible response
It’s time to begin. It’s time we checked the list. It’s time for us to decide.
Success check: Use the different patterns accurately.
Speaking 2
Give one overdue action and a gentler reformulation.
Reveal a possible response
It’s high time they replied. More gently: It’s time to ask for an update.
Success check: Match the wording to the relationship.
Put it all together
Close an event politely, then discuss an overdue task privately.
Reveal a possible response
It’s time for us to finish. Thank you for coming. Afterwards: It’s high time we updated that old timetable.
Success check: Distinguish neutral organisation from criticism.
Take it with you
I can say an action is due now without confusing the past form with past time.