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Ravinath Posted 11 years ago
Grammar

Past verb in present ???

I think it's time you went to bed.

Could you explain the meaning here (This conversation happens in the present time )
  

Top answer

'You' are not going to bed at the moment the sentence is uttered,. The situation is therefore counterfactual, shown by the distancing tense, the past tense. The utterance takes on the meaning of a suggestion or command.

— Fivejedjon

  • 'You' are not going to bed at the moment the sentence is uttered,.
  • The situation is therefore counterfactual, shown by the distancing tense, the past tense.
  • The utterance takes on the meaning of a suggestion or command.
  • ".
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4 Answers
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'You' are not going to bed at the moment the sentence is uttered,. The situation is therefore counterfactual, shown by the distancing tense, the past tense. The utterance takes on the meaning of a suggestion or command. You see similatrideas itn "It would be a good idea if you went ..." and "I would like it if you went ...".
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"It would be a good idea if you went ..." and "I would like it if you went ...".
here, can "go" be used instead of went ?
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RavinathCould you explain the meaning here
It is an idiomatic use of the subjunctive. There is an implicit demand, suggestion, or wish.
The infinitive can be used: It is time for you to go to bed.

It's time that we left. (I suggest that we go now.)
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