Empower p 156. It's Time Somebody Did Something

It’s (high/about) time
We use the phrase "It's about/high time" to make a suggestion, raise awareness about a "must do thing" for which it's already a bit late, sort of like a complaint or criticism. Used to say strongly that you think something should happen soon or should already have happened

For the Present Time

It’s (high/about) time + past subjunctive

For example:

It’s time you stopped smoking.
It’s high time you stopped smoking.
It’s about time you stopped smoking.

You can use a continuous form as well:

- It's time we were going
- It's about time we were going, and
- It's high time we were going

We are suggesting something in the present moment; yet, we believe that it should have already happened by now. It is past the time when something should have happened:

it's (high) time + past subjunctive
It's (high) time + past subjunctive expresses that something should be done and that it is already a bit late:

It's time you went to bed. You'll have to get up early tomorrow.
It's high time I bought a new pair of jeans.
It's about time this road was completed. They've been working on it for months.

The situation is urgent. The expression "It's high/about time" means it's very important that this happens now - "It's high time we left - come on or we'll miss the train." Or again a parent might say to an older child - "It's high time you found a job, young man!"  
E.g.
It's time we left. Our son will be home soon and he doesn't have a house key.

 

It's about time you started looking for a job. You can't depend on us all the time. It's high time you started to fend for yourself.

For the Past Time

It was (high/about) time + past perfect subjunctive

For example:

It was time you had told him the truth when you had the chance last night.

Note:
The words “about/high” add more emphasis to the situation and they usually come with anger/complaint.

It's time to ... 
We can also use this phrase with an infinitive "to”.
When we say that the right time has arrived for something and we are still in time, we can use the following patterns:
It's time (for you) to go to bed.
It's time to say goodbye.
It's time for breakfast.






Exercise

1. It's time you ___________ to bed now.


KEY
1.
went


2. It’s high time somebody __________something about the economic crisis.


KEY
2.
did


3. It was time we _______ (leave), yet we didn't.



KEY
3.
had left



4. It's time for you _____________ (study).



KEY
4.
to study




5. It's time _____________ (get down) to work.



KEY
5.
to get down



6. It was high time he _____________ smoking, but he never did.



KEY
6.
had stopped



7. It's time for me ____________ for a job now.



KEY
7.
to apply



8. It's time ____________ a break.



KEY
8.
to have



9. It's about time they ___________their rent.



KEY
9.
paid



10. It's time we ___________ (save) some money



KEY
10.
saved



11. It’s about time our team _________.



KEY
11.
won