Bedeutung
Used to say that it is the correct or appropriate time for something.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In the US, 'It's time for...' is often used very directly. It is seen as efficient and helpful to keep things moving on schedule. British speakers might use 'I think it's time for...' or 'Is it time for...?' to sound less demanding and more polite. While Japanese has a similar phrase, the concept of 'on time' is even stricter. Being exactly on time is often considered late; you should be ready before the 'time for' something arrives. In social settings, 'It's time for...' is much more flexible. Dinner might be 'scheduled' for 8 PM, but saying 'It's time for dinner' at 8:30 PM is perfectly normal. Punctuality is highly valued. 'Es ist Zeit für...' is used as a clear signal that the next activity must start immediately to maintain the day's order.
The 'For' vs 'To' Rule
If you can put 'the' before the next word, use 'for'. (It's time for [the] lunch). If you can't, use 'to'. (It's time to [the] eat - doesn't work!)
Don't drop the 'It's'
While 'Time for lunch!' is okay with friends, always use 'It's time for...' in writing or with people you don't know well.
Bedeutung
Used to say that it is the correct or appropriate time for something.
The 'For' vs 'To' Rule
If you can put 'the' before the next word, use 'for'. (It's time for [the] lunch). If you can't, use 'to'. (It's time to [the] eat - doesn't work!)
Don't drop the 'It's'
While 'Time for lunch!' is okay with friends, always use 'It's time for...' in writing or with people you don't know well.
Use 'High Time' for Impact
If you want to sound more passionate or persuasive, use 'It's high time for...' It shows you really care about the change.
Polite Softeners
If you're worried about sounding too bossy, start with 'I think...' or 'Maybe...'. 'Maybe it's time for a break?' sounds much friendlier.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the blank with 'for' or 'to'.
It's time ___ a new car.
We use 'for' because 'a new car' is a noun phrase.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the most natural sentence:
English requires the dummy subject 'It's' and 'for' is used with the noun 'school'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: I'm so tired of this old phone. B: I agree. It's high ___ a new one!
'High time for' is used to show that something is overdue.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase fits a formal business meeting transition?
This is a neutral/formal way to transition between topics in a meeting.
Complete the sentence with the correct pronoun and preposition.
The meeting is starting. It's time ___ ___ to go inside.
We use 'for' followed by an object pronoun ('us') and then 'to + verb'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
For vs To
Aufgabensammlung
5 AufgabenIt's time ___ a new car.
We use 'for' because 'a new car' is a noun phrase.
Choose the most natural sentence:
English requires the dummy subject 'It's' and 'for' is used with the noun 'school'.
A: I'm so tired of this old phone. B: I agree. It's high ___ a new one!
'High time for' is used to show that something is overdue.
Which phrase fits a formal business meeting transition?
This is a neutral/formal way to transition between topics in a meeting.
The meeting is starting. It's time ___ ___ to go inside.
We use 'for' followed by an object pronoun ('us') and then 'to + verb'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenUse 'for' with nouns (It's time for dinner) and 'to' with verbs (It's time to eat).
Yes, 'It is' is more formal and common in writing or serious speeches.
Not usually, but it is very direct. It's mostly used by parents to children or between very close friends/partners.
Simply flip the 'It' and 'is': 'Is it time for lunch?'
It means something finally happened that should have happened much earlier. It often sounds a bit annoyed.
Yes, but you usually need a 'to' after it: 'It's time for *him* to go.'
Usually just 'time for lunch'. We don't use 'the' for general meals.
Yes: 'It was time for us to leave, so we said goodbye.'
'High time' is a stronger version of 'It's time', used when something is very overdue.
Absolutely. 'It's time for a new beginning' is a very common and natural expression.
It's grammatically possible but sounds very unnatural. 'It's time to go' is much better.
Yes, it's used constantly to manage meetings and project phases.
Verwandte Redewendungen
It's about time
similarUsed to say something should have happened sooner.
The time has come
specialized formA more dramatic way to say it's time.
High time
builds onPast the appropriate time.
Time's up
contrastThe allowed time has ended.
In the nick of time
similarAt the last possible moment.
It's go time
slangTime to start immediately and with energy.
