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"it's time we go" vs. it's time we went



 
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"it's time we go" vs. it's time we went #1 (permalink) Mon Jul 31, 2006 13:45 pm   "it's time we go" vs. it's time we went
 

Hi teachers!!

Could you please tell me what the differences between the following sentences:

1, It's time we go.
2, It's time we went.
3, It's time we were going.

Thanks!

Soklong
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It's time we go vs. it's time we went... #2 (permalink) Mon Jul 31, 2006 13:58 pm   It's time we go vs. it's time we went...
 

.
I'd say that you have listed them in order of increasing tentativeness or politeness.
.
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Go #3 (permalink) Mon Jul 31, 2006 14:18 pm   Go
 

Hi soklong,

You asked for differences in the following:

Quote:
1, It's time we go.
2, It's time we went.
3, It's time we were going.

To be honest, I don't like number 1. I would prefer to say: It's time for us to go. The other two are similar although 3 has a greater urgency. They are examples of the subjunctive in English. If you like you can have a look at material I've written for the site on the subjunctive:

ESL Lesson: Subjunctive
http://www.english-test.net/lessons/15/index.html

Alan
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"it's time we go" vs. it's time we went #4 (permalink) Mon Jul 31, 2006 18:06 pm   "it's time we go" vs. it's time we went
 

MM wrote:
I'd say that you have listed them in order of increasing tentativeness or politeness.
.

Dear MM,

Could you please elaborate it a bit?

Tom
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