I think is time that I took....

Question

Hi teachers,
The other day I read in one book that a character said:

"I think it is time that I took a greater hand in your education"

meaning that in the future he will teach him some stuff.

To me the use of the simple past (took) seems inappropriate, I would have use the simple present!
I dont understand...please can somebody explain me?
Thanks

Maverick88 · Accepted Answer

"I think it's time I took" is the grammatically correct form. Maybe it seems a bit unappropriate to the intended meaning but I think "it's time I take" is impossible.

Yulysess · Answer

hello fab54,

because of immediate future and hypothetical approach

it is time to infinitive = Present/Future meaning

it is time (that) Subject + Past tense = Present/Future meaning

-"I think it is time that I took a greater hand in your education"

=

-"It would better if I took a greater hand in your education"

also,

it is high time to / it is high time (that) Subject + Past tense

hope this help

Anonymous · Answer

Ok, so

"It's time that I take greater hand in your education"

is wrong?

Fab54 · Answer

Ok, so

-"I think it is time that I take a greater hand in your education"

is wrong?

Yulysess · Answer

yes, it is.

Maverick88 · Answer

By the way, Fab, if you don't like the past you can say "it's time to take...."

Edit: Oops...I didn't pay attention Yulysess has already mentioned it...Sorry

Davkett · Answer

I think this is a reasonable question, Fab54.

The phrase is meant to convey the current moment in time:

'I think now is the time to take a greater hand in your education.'

I wonder if this is one of those phrases we are accustomed to hearing, though it does not, on simple analysis, appear to be grammatically right...like, 'I could care less' being used to mean 'I couldn't care less'.

Let's wait for other views.

Davkett · Answer

Hi Yulysess,

I'm thinking more about your answer. Are you quoting a textbook explanation for the phrase, 'it is time that', which states that it should be translated as [something like], 'it would be timely if'?

Yulysess · Answer

Hi davkett,

No, I'm not quoting a textbook explanation for the phrase.

Yes, it can be translated as'it would be timely if' on the stipulaton that "would" is used. In fact that is the matter, hypothetical meaning. In your former post, you employed the phrase "...the time ...". Article the here clarifies the mood, so present structure after that doesn't cause any problem.

it is time to go => but we are still sitting ( "to go" modifies the noun "time")

To be more precise;

"It is high time the government took action." The expression "It is (high/about) time + past verb test" is used to complain about or criticise something or someone

It is time that the government took action.

It is about time that the government took action.

It is high time that the government took action.

The words about or high make the criticism even stronger. Note that it is also correct to say:

It is time for the government to take action.

There is a time in everyone's life when they know that it is time to go away

Anynomous's sentence is gramatically correct but doesn't convey any meaning. It is also used in literature, poetry, novel etc.

Fab54 · Answer

Thank you all for your answers!!

Now it makes more sense!! :-)

I think is time that I took....

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