It's time+simple past tense
Isn't it time you shift to a smarter drive?
In my opinion, the correct sentence would be:
Isn't it time you shifted to a smarter drive?
Am I right?
Top answer
It is time you shift uses the subjunctive shift , as with require/demand verbs: It is required that you shift which has the (mainly) BrE equivalent of It is required that you should shift (see Swan, Practical English Usage, Subjunctive, Should) I think your version could be also valid, but suggesting less of a mandatory/presssing requirement and more of a doubt. Both versions are used at Google, with yours being more frequent (and present on a university site here): ----- Perhaps it's time you shift your focus off of yourself and this incident which most rescuers/volunteers encounter and onto the greater good of a difficult cause. level2=blog_viewpost&topic_id=285690 ----- ------- If you love what you do, if your business lights you up, you wish you could attract more clients--but you're confused about marketing and you just hate to sell, then it's time you shifted the way you think about getting clients...
- It is time you shift uses the subjunctive shift , as with require/demand verbs: It is required that you shift which has the (mainly) BrE equivalent of It is required that you should shift (see Swan, Practical English Usage, Subjunctive, Should) I think your version could be also valid, but suggesting less of a mandatory/presssing requirement and more of a doubt.
- Both versions are used at Google, with yours being more frequent (and present on a university site here): ----- Perhaps it's time you shift your focus off of yourself and this incident which most rescuers/volunteers encounter and onto the greater good of a difficult cause.
- level2=blog_viewpost&topic_id=285690 ----- ------- If you love what you do, if your business lights you up, you wish you could attract more clients--but you're confused about marketing and you just hate to sell, then it's time you shifted the way you think about getting clients...
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uses the subjunctive shift, as with require/demand verbs:
It is required that you shift
which has the (mainly) BrE equivalent of
It is required that you should shift
(see Swan, Practical English Usage, Subjunctive, Should)
I
00CaliveWell, th
This is the headline from the brochure of a leading car maker:
Isn't it time you shift to a smarter drive?
In my opinion, the correct sentence would be:
Isn't it time you shifted to a smarter drive?
Am I right?
0AperisicWell, there are several combinationsNot to forget the other usages
- Isn't it time you did/went/… = Isn't it time when you did/went/… you ask if some past event had happened simultaneously with another past event
- Isn’t it time that this program is going to squander far beyond our expectations?
0Welkins2139It seems to me the difference between 'shift' and 'shifted' is a degree/how much that a car company wants you to shift.Yes, that is the commercial/marketing point of the different phrasing.
0CaliveThis is the headline from the brochure of a leading car maker:
Isn't it time you shift to a smarter drive?
In my opinion, the correct sentence would be:
Isn't it time you shifted to a smarter drive?
OK, I've consulted several very educated native
0by BBC. It explains the rather strange use of simple past tense.
0Calive... by BBC. It explains the rather strange use of simple past tense.Not that strange. Some consider it just another form of subjunctive.
0- Isn't it time you did/went/… = Isn't it time when you did/went/… you ask if some past event had happened simultaneously with another past event
0In my opinion, the correct sentence would be:
Isn't it time you shifted to a smarter drive?
Am I right?
You're right. When the word 'time' is used, the following verb has to be in the past tense.
It's time we went.
I
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