It's high time...

[Huyen]

Test No. incompl/advan-14 "Time Expressions (2)", question 7

If you really want to send that letter off today, it's ......... time you went to the post office.

(a) high
(b) quick
(c) proper
(d) right

Test No. incompl/advan-14 "Time Expressions (2)", answer 7

If you really want to send that letter off today, it's high time you went to the post office.

Correct answer: (a) high

Your answer was: incorrect
If you really want to send that letter off today, it's right time you went to the post office.
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Hi Alan and Torsten,

I don't quite understand the context/meaning of the sentence and the tense: If clause is present, and main clause is past.

[Alan]

This really means that the time has arrived when you should go. The form went in this sentence is really a subjunctive or here what could be called imaginary past. The subjunctive in English is not clear to see because when it is used, it appears to be the same as the indicative form. The subjuctive is only visible in a sentence like If I were you (Past) or Long live the king (Present).
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English as a Second Language
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[Huyen]

Got it, thanks Alan.

BTW, your website is awesome!I really appreciate that!

[Ann]

Hi,

Can you give me the meaning of "high time"?
Thanks.

[Alan]

Hi Ann,

High time means the time has come when you should do something as soon as possible. It's often used as a way of leaving a party when you really want to go home: It's high time we left = We should leave now

Parent to child: It's high time you started working harder at school! The message/warning is: Don't leave it too late.

A few suggestions

Alan
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