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Maelstrom Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary

Why past tense when it IS time to do something?

I often hear such expressions:
"It is about time that you guys left"
"It is time we had a house"
and etc.

Why past tense for the verb here?
Thanks:)
  

Top answer

The past tense is often used for distancing a situation from reality. In your sentences, the guys have not left yet, and 'we' do not yet have a house.

— Fivejedjon

  • The past tense is often used for distancing a situation from reality.
  • In your sentences, the guys have not left yet, and 'we' do not yet have a house.
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3 Answers
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The past tense is often used for distancing a situation from reality. In your sentences, the guys have not left yet, and 'we' do not yet have a house.
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fivejedjonQuote
Thanks Five:)
But just out of curiousit, would it be totally far-off if I say "it's time that you guys LEAVE" and etc.?
THANKS!:)
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maelstromBut just out of curiousit, would it be totally far-off if I say "it's time that you guys LEAVE" and etc.?THANKS!:)
It would be incorrect.
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