What Does "it’s high time" Mean?
- What it expresses: It is an idiomatic expression used to convey urgency or the feeling that something should have happened already. It emphasizes a delay in action.
- What part of the sentence it typically modifies: It functions as an introductory phrase that modifies a whole clause or an infinitive phrase.
- Register: It is generally neutral to informal, though it frequently appears in journalism and opinion pieces to add rhetorical weight.
How to Use It
- Typical sentence positions: It almost always occupies the initial position of a sentence or a main clause. While it can occasionally appear at the end for emphasis (e.g., "...and it’s high time, too"), the initial position is the most natural.
- What it modifies and how it changes the meaning: It adds a sense of reproach or impatience. Unlike "it is time," which suggests the moment is appropriate, "it’s high time" implies the moment has actually passed.
- Grammatical flexibility: It is rarely used in questions or with negation because it is a declarative statement of necessity. Its most unique feature is that it triggers the past subjunctive (the past tense form) when followed by a subject and a verb.
- What sounds unnatural: Using the present tense (e.g., "It's high time we leave") sounds grammatically incorrect to native speakers; "It's high time we left" is the standard.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from it’s high time on Ludwig.guru.
"It's high time Labour got its act together." — independent.co.uk
"It's high time the United States' actions matched its words." — nytimes.com
"It's high time we accepted this one." — nytimes.com
"It's high time to circle the wagons." — theguardian.com
"It's high time for a mini-hybrid." — nytimes.com
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| it is about time |
Very similar in meaning but slightly less emphatic than "high time." |
| it is time |
Neutral; suggests the correct moment has arrived without necessarily implying a delay. |
| long overdue |
More formal; often used as an adjective to describe a needed action or event. |
| past due |
Often used in technical, financial, or formal contexts regarding deadlines. |
| at long last |
Used to express relief that something has finally happened after a long wait. |
Common Mistakes
- Tense Mismatch: Learners often use the present tense instead of the past subjunctive after the phrase, saying 'it's high time we go' instead of 'it's high time we went'.
- Word Order: Trying to place the expression in the middle of a clause (e.g., "We it's high time go") is incorrect; it must introduce the action.
- Redundancy: Adding "now" (e.g., "It's high time we go now") is redundant because the expression already carries the meaning of immediate necessity.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| it's high time |
Expresses urgent necessity for an overdue action |
Neutral / Journalistic |
Initial |
FAQs
Where in a sentence should it’s high time appear?
The expression it’s high time typically appears in the initial position of a sentence or as the start of a main clause. It acts as a frame for the rest of the statement, signaling to the reader that the following information is an action that is long overdue. While it can appear at the end for rhetorical effect, this is much less common.
What is the difference between it’s high time and it is time?
While both phrases suggest that an action should happen, it’s high time is much more emphatic and carries a tone of criticism or impatience. It implies that the action is overdue, whereas it is time simply suggests that the appropriate moment has arrived. Use the former when you want to highlight that a delay has already occurred.
Which verb tense should follow it’s high time?
When followed by a clause with a subject, you must use the past simple form of the verb, which functions here as a past subjunctive. For example, you should say "it's high time we went" rather than "it's high time we go." This grammatical structure is essential to correctly convey that the situation is hypothetical but urgently desired.