C1 Verb Moods 16 min read Difficile

Il est temps que nous partions (Exprimer l'urgence)

Maîtrise "It's time we went" pour t'exprimer naturellement, souligner l'urgence et faire des suggestions sophistiquées.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use the Past Simple after 'It's time' to show that something is overdue and needs to happen right now.

  • Use Past Simple for present urgency: 'It's time we left' means we should leave now.
  • Add 'about' or 'high' for extra emphasis: 'It's high time you apologized.'
  • Don't use 'will' or present tense: 'It's time we go' is technically incorrect in this specific structure.
It's (high/about) time + Subject + Past Simple Verb ⏰

Overview

### Overview
En tant que francophones, nous avons une maîtrise naturelle de la structure temporelle, mais l'anglais nous réserve parfois des surprises, surtout quand il s'agit de ce qu'on appelle l'unreal past (passé irréel). L'expression It’s time we went est un excellent exemple de cette subtilité. En français, pour exprimer une urgence ou une nécessité, nous utilisons généralement le présent de l'indicatif ou, plus souvent, le subjonctif après une expression de nécessité : « Il est temps que nous partions ».
Remarquez bien le subjonctif présent « partions ». En anglais, au contraire, on utilise une forme qui ressemble à un passé simple (went), mais qui ne réfère absolument pas au passé. C'est un concept crucial pour atteindre un niveau C1/C2 : comprendre que la forme verbale ne sert pas toujours à situer l'action dans le temps, mais à marquer une distance modale par rapport à la réalité.
Pourquoi est-ce important ? Parce que si vous dites It’s time we go, un anglophone comprendra, mais cela sonnera comme une erreur grammaticale ou une traduction littérale. L'utilisation du passé (went) ajoute une nuance de « regret » ou d'impatience polie.
C'est comme si vous disiez : « Nous devrions déjà être en train de partir, pourquoi ne le sommes-nous pas encore ? ». Pour un apprenant avancé, maîtriser cette structure est la marque d'une fluidité qui dépasse le simple besoin de communication pour entrer dans celui de la précision stylistique.
C'est une structure très courante dans le milieu professionnel lors de réunions ou dans des contextes sociaux où l'on veut presser le mouvement sans être impoli.
### How This Grammar Works
Le mécanisme derrière It’s time we went repose sur l'usage du past subjunctive (subjonctif passé). En français, nous avons une distinction très nette entre l'indicatif (le réel) et le subjonctif (le souhait, l'ordre, l'incertitude). L'anglais, ayant perdu la plupart de ses formes de subjonctif morphologiques, utilise le passé simple pour créer cette même distance modale.
C'est ce qu'on appelle le « passé irréel ».
Considérez la différence entre It is time to go et It’s time we went. La première est factuelle, impersonnelle. La seconde est une suggestion forte, presque une injonction.
En utilisant went (passé de go), l'anglais signale que l'action est en retard. Si nous étions déjà en train de partir, nous ne dirions pas cela. Le passé est ici utilisé pour souligner l'écart entre la réalité présente (nous sommes encore ici) et la situation souhaitée (nous devrions être partis).
Il est fascinant de noter que, contrairement au français où le subjonctif impose une transformation du verbe (partir -> que nous partions), l'anglais utilise une structure qui « emprunte » la forme du passé simple. Si vous utilisez le verbe to be, vous verrez souvent were même à la troisième personne du singulier : It’s time he were here (Il est temps qu'il soit là). Bien que was soit de plus en plus accepté dans le langage courant, le were (subjonctif) reste la marque du locuteur éduqué et précis.
Cette structure est donc un outil de rhétorique puissant : elle permet de critiquer une situation actuelle sans utiliser de verbes de modalité lourds comme should ou must, ce qui rend la communication plus élégante et moins frontale.
### Formation Pattern
La formation est relativement fixe, ce qui facilite son apprentissage une fois la logique assimilée. Voici le tableau récapitulatif pour structurer vos phrases :
| Structure | Exemple | Nuance |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| It’s time + subject + past simple | It’s time we left. | Suggestion forte/impatience. |
| It’s time + for + object + to-infinitive | It’s time for us to leave. | Plus neutre, focalisé sur l'action. |
| It’s high time + subject + past simple | It’s high time you apologized. | Très insistant, presque un reproche. |
| It’s about time + subject + past simple | It’s about time he finished. | Souligne un retard important. |
La règle est simple : après It’s time, si vous introduisez un nouveau sujet (we, you, he, they), le verbe suivant DOIT être au passé simple. Si vous n'introduisez pas de sujet, utilisez la structure for + complément + infinitif.
### When To Use It
Vous utiliserez cette structure dans trois contextes principaux :
  1. 1Pour exprimer une urgence sociale ou professionnelle : Lors d'une réunion, au lieu de dire We must finish now (très directif), dites It’s time we wrapped up this meeting. Cela montre une autorité douce.
  2. 2Pour faire un reproche poli : Si un ami est en retard, au lieu de dire You are late, dites It’s about time you arrived!. L'ajout de about ou high renforce l'idée que le délai a été trop long.
  3. 3Pour exprimer une nécessité logique : Dans une discussion philosophique sur un projet, It’s time we reconsidered our strategy indique que le changement est devenu une nécessité évidente.
L'usage de high time ou about time est une excellente façon de moduler l'intensité. High time suggère que l'action est déjà largement en retard, tandis que about time exprime un soulagement teinté d'impatience. Ces nuances sont très appréciées dans les conversations entre collègues ou entre amis proches pour exprimer une opinion sans paraître agressif.
### Common Mistakes
  1. 1L'usage du présent au lieu du passé : L'erreur la plus fréquente chez les francophones est de dire It’s time we go. Pourquoi ? Parce que le cerveau français traduit « Il est temps que nous allions » (subjonctif présent) et cherche une équivalence temporelle directe. En anglais, le subjonctif n'existe plus sous cette forme, et le passé simple est requis pour marquer l'irréel.
  2. 2L'oubli du sujet après 'time' : Certains disent It’s time we to go. C'est une confusion entre la structure It’s time + [proposition] et la structure It’s time + [infinitif]. Soit vous mettez un sujet + verbe au passé, soit vous utilisez for + objet + to + infinitif. Pas de mélange des deux.
  3. 3La mauvaise utilisation de 'should' : Certains apprenants disent It’s time we should go. C'est redondant. Le passé simple went porte déjà en lui la notion de should. Ajouter should est une lourdeur qui n'existe pas chez les locuteurs natifs.
### Contrast With Similar Patterns
Il est utile de comparer cette structure avec d'autres formes exprimant la nécessité pour bien comprendre sa place dans le système modal anglais.
| Structure | Équivalent Français | Nuance |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| It’s time we left | Il est temps que nous partions | Subjonctif (urgence, distance) |
| We should leave | Nous devrions partir | Conseil, recommandation |
| We must leave | Nous devons partir | Obligation, nécessité absolue |
| It’s time for us to leave | Il est temps de partir | Neutre, impersonnel |
Comme vous le voyez, It’s time we left occupe une place unique : c'est plus fort qu'un conseil (should) mais moins brutal qu'une obligation directe (must), tout en étant plus personnel et engageant que l'infinitif.`
### Quick FAQ
  1. 1Est-ce que je peux utiliser le subjonctif 'were' avec tous les verbes ?
Non, le were est spécifique au verbe to be. Pour tous les autres verbes, on utilise simplement le passé simple. It’s time he were here est correct, mais It’s time he went est la règle standard pour les autres verbes.
  1. 1Quelle est la différence entre 'It's time' et 'It's high time' ?
High time est une emphase. Il indique que l'action est non seulement nécessaire, mais qu'elle aurait dû être faite depuis longtemps. C'est plus expressif et légèrement plus émotionnel.
  1. 1Puis-je utiliser cette structure au futur ?
Non, la structure est ancrée dans le présent. Si vous voulez parler d'un moment futur, vous diriez plutôt It will be time for us to leave then.

Structure of 'It's Time' with Unreal Past

Introductory Phrase Subject Verb Form Example
It's time
we
Past Simple
It's time we left.
It's about time
you
Past Simple
It's about time you called.
It's high time
they
Past Simple
It's high time they paid.
It's time
she
Past Simple (Negative)
It's time she didn't cry.
It's time
I
Past Simple (Be)
It's time I was going.

Contractions and Variations

Full Form Contraction Usage Note
It is time
It's time
Standard spoken form
It is high time
It's high time
Adds strong emphasis
It is about time
It's about time
Adds informal urgency

Meanings

A structure used to express that something should have happened already, or that it is the very last moment to do something. It conveys a sense of urgency, mild criticism, or a strong suggestion.

1

Standard Urgency

Expressing that the appropriate time for an action has arrived or passed.

“It's time we started the meeting.”

“It's time you found a job.”

2

Emphatic Criticism

Using 'high' or 'about' to show frustration that an action is long overdue.

“It's high time you cleaned your room!”

“It's about time we had some good news.”

3

Hypothetical/Reflective

Reflecting on a state that should be different than it currently is.

“It's time things changed around here.”

“It's time we weren't so dependent on technology.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Il est temps que nous partions (Exprimer l'urgence)
Structure Signification Exemple
It's time + Subject + Past Simple
Suggestion neutre et douce, urgence subtile
`It's time we left.`
It's high time + Subject + Past Simple
Urgence plus forte, insiste sur la nécessité, souvent impatiente
`It's high time you started studying.`
It's about time + Subject + Past Simple
Implique un délai, un léger agacement, ou un soulagement qu'une chose arrive enfin
`It's about time they fixed that bug.`
It's time + for + Object + to-infinitive
Urgence générale, moins personnelle, souvent pour un planning
`It's time for lunch.`
It's time + to-infinitive
Appel à l'action général, moins formel que 'for + object'
`It's time to go.`

Spectre de formalité

Formel
It is high time that we departed.

It is high time that we departed. (Leaving a location)

Neutre
It's time we went.

It's time we went. (Leaving a location)

Informel
It's about time we got going.

It's about time we got going. (Leaving a location)

Argot
About time we bounced!

About time we bounced! (Leaving a location)

La Famille du 'Passé Irréel'

Passé Irréel / Mode Subjonctif

Urgence Présente/Future

  • It's time we went It's time + Subject + Simple Past
  • It's high time... Urgence plus forte
  • It's about time... Retard / Agacement

Situations Hypothétiques

  • If I were you Second Conditional
  • I wish I knew Souhait pour le présent

Regrets/Hypothétiques Passés

  • If I had known Third Conditional
  • I wish I had gone Souhait pour le passé

Variations de 'It's Time' : Nuances

It's time we went
Niveau d'Urgence Suggestion modérée, polie
Implication Nous devrions faire cela maintenant
Sentiment Collaboratif, incitatif
It's high time we went
Niveau d'Urgence Fort, emphatique
Implication Absolument nécessaire, en retard
Sentiment Impatient, exigeant une action
It's about time we went
Niveau d'Urgence Urgence implicite avec délai
Implication Cela aurait dû arriver plus tôt
Sentiment Léger agacement, soulagement

Choisir ton Expression 'It's Time'

1

Veux-tu exprimer qu'une action doit se produire maintenant ?

YES
Continue
NO
Utilise d'autres temps (par exemple, 'We should go')
2

L'urgence est-elle générale ou implique-t-elle un sujet spécifique ?

YES
Sujet Spécifique : 'It's time + Subject + Simple Past'
NO
Général : 'It's time + for + Object + To-infinitive' OU 'It's time + To-infinitive'
3

Veux-tu ajouter une emphase supplémentaire ou montrer de l'agacement ?

YES
Emphase : 'It's high time...' / Agacement : 'It's about time...'
NO
Neutre : 'It's time...'

Quand Utiliser 'It's Time We Went'

🤝

Suggestions Polies

  • • Quitter une fête
  • • Commencer une discussion
  • • Passer au sujet suivant
📣

Incitation Forte

  • • Respecter une échéance
  • • Prendre une décision critique
  • • Résoudre un problème
😤

Exprimer la Frustration

  • • Quelque chose est en retard
  • • Quelqu'un tarde
  • • Un problème récurrent
🚀

Appel à l'Action

  • • Mettre en œuvre une nouvelle politique
  • • Commencer une nouvelle phase
  • • Faire un grand changement
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Exemples par niveau

1

It is time to go to bed.

It is time to go to bed.

2

It's time to eat lunch.

It's time to eat lunch.

3

Is it time to start?

Is it time to start?

4

It's time for school.

It's time for school.

1

It's time for us to leave the party.

It's time for us to leave the party.

2

It's time you went home.

It's time you went home.

3

Is it time we had dinner?

Is it time we had dinner?

4

It's time to buy a new phone.

It's time to buy a new phone.

1

It's about time we bought a new car.

It's about time we bought a new car.

2

It's time you told him the truth.

It's time you told him the truth.

3

I think it's time we moved to a bigger house.

I think it's time we moved to a bigger house.

4

It's time they stopped making so much noise.

It's time they stopped making so much noise.

1

It's high time the company updated its security policy.

It's high time the company updated its security policy.

2

It's time we addressed the elephant in the room.

It's time we addressed the elephant in the room.

3

Don't you think it's about time you apologized?

Don't you think it's about time you apologized?

4

It's time we weren't so reliant on fossil fuels.

It's time we weren't so reliant on fossil fuels.

1

It's high time the judiciary reconsidered the sentencing guidelines.

It's high time the judiciary reconsidered the sentencing guidelines.

2

It's time we acknowledged that the current strategy is failing.

It's time we acknowledged that the current strategy is failing.

3

It is about time the public were made aware of the risks.

It is about time the public were made aware of the risks.

4

It's time we stopped pretending that everything is fine.

It's time we stopped pretending that everything is fine.

1

It is high time that the legislature took cognizance of these systemic inequities.

It is high time that the legislature took cognizance of these systemic inequities.

2

About time too, if you ask me!

About time too, if you ask me!

3

It's time the myth of meritocracy was thoroughly debunked.

It's time the myth of meritocracy was thoroughly debunked.

4

It's time we were heading off, lest we miss the last train.

It's time we were heading off, lest we miss the last train.

Facile à confondre

It's Time We Went (Expressing Urgency) vs It's time to vs. It's time we went

Learners think they are interchangeable.

It's Time We Went (Expressing Urgency) vs I wish vs. It's time

Both use the unreal past, but for different reasons.

Erreurs courantes

✗

It's time we go.

✓

It's time to go.

At A1, you shouldn't try the complex past tense version. Use the infinitive.
✗

It's time for go.

✓

It's time to go.

Don't use 'for' directly with a verb.
✗

It's time we will leave.

✓

It's time we left.

Never use 'will' after 'It's time'. The urgency is already implied by the past tense.
✗

It's high time he has finished.

✓

It's high time he finished.

Even if the action is completed in your mind, use Past Simple, not Present Perfect.
✗

It's time we go.

✓

It's time we went.

Using the present tense makes the sentence sound 'flat' and less native-like.

Structures de phrases

It's about time ___ ___.

Don't you think it's high time ___ ___?

Real World Usage

Office Deadlines very common

It's high time we submitted the proposal.

Texting Friends common

About time u texted back!

Parenting constant

It's time you brushed your teeth.

Political Debates occasional

It is high time the council addressed the housing crisis.

Travel common

It's about time the plane took off.

Relationships occasional

It's time we talked about our future.

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💡

Souviens-toi du 'passé irréel'

Le verbe au passé simple dans cette structure (went, did, were) n'indique PAS le passé. C'est un 'passé irréel' pour exprimer une action désirée au présent ou dans un futur proche. Vois ça comme un petit coup de pouce poli, un peu comme le subjonctif. "It's time you understood this concept."
⚠️

Évite le présent après le sujet

Un piège courant ! Ne dis jamais "It's time we go ou It's time she does
. Utilise toujours le passé simple après le sujet, même si ça fait référence à une action présente.
It's time she arrived."
🎯

Utilise 'High' ou 'About' pour l'emphase

Tu veux ajouter plus d'impact à ton urgence ? Mets 'high' ("It's high time...") pour une emphase plus forte, ou 'about' ("It's about time...") pour dire que quelque chose est attendu depuis longtemps, avec peut-être une légère pointe d'agacement. C'est comme ajouter des épices à tes phrases ! "It's high time we got serious about this."
🌍

Poli mais direct

Cette structure est géniale pour être direct sans être impoli. Elle donne souvent une impression de collaboration, plus que qu'un simple ordre. Dans certaines cultures, les suggestions indirectes sont préférées, et cette structure est parfaite pour ça. "It's time we considered all options."

Smart Tips

Use 'It's about time' + Subject + Past Simple. It shifts the focus to the 'time' rather than the person's failure.

You are late with the report. → It's about time the report was finished, don't you think?

Check if there is a person mentioned. If no person, use 'to'. If there is a person, use the past tense.

It's time we to go. → It's time we went.

Use 'It is high time that...' to sound authoritative and passionate about a necessary change.

We need to change the system. → It is high time that the system was overhauled.

You can use 'were' instead of 'was' for all subjects to sound even more formal and 'subjunctive'.

It's time I was home. → It's time I were home.

Prononciation

/ɪts ˈtaɪm wi ˈwent/

Stress on 'Time'

The word 'time' usually carries the primary sentence stress to highlight the urgency.

/ɪts/

Contraction of 'It is'

In 99% of spoken cases, 'It is' is contracted to 'It's'. Using the full 'It is' sounds extremely formal or robotic.

Rising-Falling for Impatience

It's high ↗ TIME ↘ we left.

Conveys frustration or that the speaker has been waiting too long.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Past for Fast: Use the PAST tense when you want things to happen FAST (urgently).

Association visuelle

Imagine a clock with its hands spinning backward. Even though the clock looks like it's going into the past, the person standing next to it is tapping their watch impatiently because they are late for a meeting right now.

Rhyme

When the hour is late and the time has spent, don't say 'we go', say 'it's time we went'.

Story

A manager walks into a silent office at 9:15 AM. Everyone is drinking coffee but no one is working. He doesn't say 'Work!', he says, 'It's high time we *started*.' The use of the past tense 'started' makes everyone jump because it implies they should have been working 15 minutes ago.

Word Web

UrgencyOverdueImpatienceSubjunctiveUnreal PastHigh timeAbout time

Défi

Look at your to-do list. Pick one task you have been procrastinating on. Write a sentence using 'It's high time I...' followed by the past tense of that task.

Notes culturelles

British speakers use this structure frequently to be 'politely direct'. Instead of saying 'You are late', they say 'It's about time you arrived', which uses grammar to soften the blow of the criticism.

Americans use 'It's time we go' (present tense) more often than British speakers in casual speech, though 'It's time we went' is still considered the 'correct' grammatical standard in writing.

In business meetings, 'It's high time' is a power-move phrase. It signals that the speaker is taking control of a situation that has been stagnant.

This construction is a remnant of the Old English subjunctive mood, which used distinct verb endings to show that an action was desirable or hypothetical rather than factual.

Amorces de conversation

“

Do you think it's about time the government changed the laws on social media?

“

Is there a habit you have that you think it's time you gave up?

“

Looking at your city, what is one thing you think it's high time the mayor fixed?

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a project or goal you have been delaying. Use 'It's high time' to explain why you need to start now.
Argue for a social change. Start your paragraph with 'It is high time the world realized...'

Erreurs courantes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Choisis la forme correcte pour compléter la phrase.

It's time she ___ (realize) her true potential and went for that promotion.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: realized
Après 'It's time + sujet', nous utilisons le passé simple, même si le sens est présent ou futur.
Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Our meeting is supposed to start now. It's time we discuss the budget.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Our meeting is supposed to start now. It's time we discussed the budget.
La structure correcte est 'It's time + sujet + verbe au passé simple'. 'Discussed' est le passé simple de 'discuss'.
Quelle phrase exprime correctement l'urgence en utilisant la grammaire ciblée ? Choix multiple

Choisis la phrase correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's time they made a decision.
La structure exige le passé simple ('made') après 'It's time + sujet'.

Score: /3

Exercices pratiques

8 exercises
Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence. Choix multiple

It's high time the children ___ to bed.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: went
After 'It's high time', we use the Past Simple to show urgency.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

It's about time you ___ (start) taking your studies seriously.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: started
The past simple 'started' is required after 'It's about time'.
Find and correct the error in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

It's time we leave for the airport.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's time we left for the airport.
The present 'leave' must be changed to the past 'left'.
Rewrite the sentence using 'It's high time'. Sentence Transformation

The government should really do something about inflation now.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's high time the government did something about inflation.
This transformation converts a 'should' advice into a 'high time' urgency.
Match the beginning of the sentence with the correct ending. Match Pairs

1. It's time to... / 2. It's time we...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-B, 2-A
Infinitive is for schedules; Past Simple is for urgency.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: The sink has been leaking for a month! B: I know, it's about time I ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: fixed it
The past tense 'fixed' shows the speaker acknowledges the delay.
Is the following rule true or false? True False Rule

You can use 'It's time' with the present tense in formal writing.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
In formal writing, the past simple (unreal past) is strictly required.
Reorder the words to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

time / high / it / is / you / a / job / found

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It is high time you found a job.
Follows the formula: It is + high time + subject + past verb.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Choisis la forme correcte pour compléter la phrase. Texte trous

The concert starts in 5 minutes! It's time we ___ (find) our seats.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: found
Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans la phrase. Error Correction

This project has been delayed enough. It's high time we finalize the proposal.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This project has been delayed enough. It's high time we finalized the proposal.
Quelle phrase utilise correctement l'expression 'It's time...?' Choix multiple

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's about time I got a new laptop.
Traduis en anglais la phrase en utilisant 'It's time...' Traduction

Translate into English: 'Ya es hora de que tomemos una decisión sobre esto.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["It's time we made a decision about this.","It's time we made a decision on this."]
Remets les mots dans l'ordre pour former une phrase correcte. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's time we packed our bags.
Associe chaque début de phrase à la bonne fin pour former une phrase grammaticalement correcte exprimant l'urgence. Match Pairs

Match the sentence halves:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Choisis la forme correcte. Texte trous

The boss looks impatient; it's high time we ___ (present) our findings.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: presented
Identifie et corrige l'erreur grammaticale. Error Correction

My friends are still waiting for a reply. It's time I send them an email.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: My friends are still waiting for a reply. It's time I sent them an email.
Sélectionne la phrase grammaticalement correcte. Choix multiple

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's about time the world paid more attention to climate change.
Traduis la phrase en anglais. Traduction

Translate into English: 'Es hora de que la situación cambiara.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["It's time the situation changed.","It's high time the situation changed."]
Remets les mots dans l'ordre pour former une phrase cohérente exprimant l'urgence. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: It's high time they realized their mistake.

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

In casual American English, you will hear this. However, in exams (IELTS/Cambridge) and formal writing, it is considered incorrect. You should use `went`.

`About time` is more common in conversation and sounds a bit more like a complaint. `High time` is more emphatic and slightly more formal.

No! It means we are still here, but we should leave immediately. It is an 'unreal' past.

Yes. `It's time I went` is very common when you realize you are late for something.

Yes, but it's rare. Example: `It's time you didn't spend so much money.` It sounds like a strong piece of advice.

It's an old idiom meaning the time is 'fully' or 'completely' arrived. Think of 'high noon'.

You can say `We should go`, but `It's time we went` is more idiomatic and carries a stronger sense that you are already late.

Yes. `It's time we were going` is a very polite way to start saying goodbye at a party.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Es hora de que + Subjunctive

English uses a past tense; Spanish uses a present subjunctive.

French moderate

Il est temps que + Subjunctive

French requires the 'que' conjunction and the subjunctive mood.

German high

Es wäre Zeit, dass... (Konjunktiv II)

German often adds 'wäre' (would be) to the 'time' part.

Japanese low

そろそろ...する時間だ (sorosoro... suru jikan da)

Japanese relies on adverbs rather than verb tense shifts.

Arabic low

حان الوقت لـ... (Hana al-waqt li...)

Arabic uses a literal 'the time has arrived' structure.

Chinese partial

该...了 (Gāi... le)

Chinese uses modal particles instead of verb conjugation.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Subjonctif Anglais: 'Il est essentiel que...' (Subjonctif Mandatif)

Learn These First

C1 Builds On

Le Subjonctif: Mondes Imaginaires (Si j'étais...)

### Overview Pour atteindre une maîtrise de niveau C1 en anglais, il ne suffit plus de simplement « se faire comprendre...

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