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Chenyincheng Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Past Tense

Hi guys,

Can you please tell me which of the following is correct and why?

a) I think it is time that both of us faced the truth.

b) I think it is time that both of us face the truth.

The line appeared in the TV series "Heroes". I watched the show with subtitles and I don't understand why past tense was used.

Thanks a lot
  

Top answer

Hi Chenyincheng In sentence (a), the word 'faced' is past subjunctive. It is quite common to find the past subjunctive used in sentences that begin with "It is (high) time (that)". The sentence means not only that we have not yet faced the truth and should do so now, but also suggests that the time for facing the truth is overdue.

— Yankee

  • Hi Chenyincheng In sentence (a), the word 'faced' is past subjunctive.
  • It is quite common to find the past subjunctive used in sentences that begin with "It is (high) time (that)".
  • The sentence means not only that we have not yet faced the truth and should do so now, but also suggests that the time for facing the truth is overdue.
  • - It's time I headed home.
  • - It's high time you started taking responsibility.
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1 Answers
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Hi Chenyincheng

In sentence (a), the word 'faced' is past subjunctive. It is quite common to find the past subjunctive used in sentences that begin with "It is (high) time (that)". The sentence means not only that we have not yet faced the truth and should do so now, but also suggests that the time for facing the truth is overdue.

- It's time I headed home.
- It's high time
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