It's time we do something.

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ayoyoayoyo

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Is "It's time we do something" correct? Should I only use "It's time we did something"?
 

RobertT

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Here is something that I found on Wiki:

To give another example, "It's high time (that) we bought a new car". Although bought appears to be the past tense of the verb to buy, actually the car has not been purchased yet. Here, the past subjunctive is used to express a wish or a suggestion.
One could also say, "It's high time we buy a new car," which is using present subjunctive.

English subjunctive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 

TheParser

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Is "It's time we do something" correct? Should I only use "It's time we did something"?

NOT A TEACHER

Here is something from a popular website used by learners and native

speakers:

It is high time that we send him a letter.

=

A plan to do something real.

It is high time that we sent him a letter.

=

A regret that we have not done it.
 

RobertT

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Here is something from a popular website used by learners and native

May I know what is the web address? I'd love to have a look!
 

e2e4

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The past subjunctive must be used in the phrase so as to support the idea that it should already have been done some time before the moment of speaking.

It's time the topic's closed.
 

ayoyoayoyo

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The past subjunctive must be used in the phrase so as to support the idea that it should already have been done some time before the moment of speaking.

It's time the topic's closed.

I disagree. When did you get appointed the last word on these forums?
 

riquecohen

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e2e4

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It was just an example.;-):-D

It's time the topic's closed.
Ayoyoa..,would you rewrite this sentence but not using the short forms?

I'd like to know did you get it.
 
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