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high/about time

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🤔
hat do we mean when we say "it's time," "high time," or "about time"? Are these phrases used to give advice or maybe reflect on missed opportunities?
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Warm-up

Watch the videos below and fill in the gaps:
  • "Mum was talking to Don about all your different schemes" "She called them schemes?" "She said it was time you … a fallback”
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- Can you identify the grammatical form of the missing verb? - Which word is positioned immediately before this verb? - In what situation could someone say “It’s time you found a fallback”? - Is there a difference between “It’s time” and “It’s high time”?

Theory

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Exercise 1

Fill in the gap and watch the clip to check your answers:
  • "I thought you two were spending time together." "We're just friends, Mom." "You know, I've stood by and not said anything about all this but now I think it's time it ..." (stop) "What do you mean?" "It's not healthy. Gerry's not gonna be able to keep this up forever, is he?”
  • "Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it … (be returned) to you. Use it well." "What is it? Some kind of cloak. Well, let's see then. Put it on.”
 
  • "What is it the boy's father did Petunia?" "Nothing. He didn't work. He was unemployed." "And a drunk too, no doubt." "That's a lie." "What did you say?" "My dad wasn't a drunk." "Don't worry, don't fuss Petunia. I have a very firm grip." "I think it's time you … (go) to bed"

Exercise 2

Give me advice using the constructions from this lesson.
  1. I keep forgetting important appointments.
  1. I've been spending too much time on social media.
  1. My room is always disorganised.
  1. I've been procrastinating on my project.
  1. I haven't visited my family in a long time.
  1. I'm always tired in the mornings.
  1. I haven't been doing sports lately.
  1. I haven't been eating very healthily.
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Exercise 3

Answer the questions:
  • Is it high time your city built a new public park?
  • Is it about time you visited your relatives?
  • When is it time for someone to consider changing their job or career path?
  • Do you think it's high time you changed your job?
  • Is it high time you took a vacation?
  • Do you feel it's about time your company updated its technology?
  • Do you think it's high time somebody reformed the healthcare system?
  • Do you think it's high time your city planted more trees?
  • Do you feel it's time somebody organised a community clean-up in your neighbourhood?
  • Is it high time you redecorated your home?
  • Isn't it about time somebody did something about improving public transport? What should they change?
  • Is it about time you explored a new hobby?