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High time/about time

  • B2

1 x 60-minute class

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”

Watch on Loom

- 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

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?”

    Watch on Loom

  • "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.”

Watch on Loom

  • "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"

    Watch on Loom

Exercise 2

Fill in the gaps.

  1. It’s high time the government __________ something about pollution. (do)
  2. It’s about time you __________ up! It’s 10:00 AM. (wake)
  3. It’s time we __________ home; it’s getting late. (go)
  4. It’s high time you __________ up for yourself. (stand)
  5. It’s about time she __________ how to cook. (learn)
  6. It’s time you __________ a job and started earning money. (find)
  7. It’s about time we __________ a new house. (find)
  8. It’s high time we __________ our bedroom. (repaint)
  9. It’s time she __________ the truth to her parents. (tell)
  10. It’s high time you __________ smoking. (stop)
More sentences
  1. It’s about time the bus __________; I’ve been waiting for an hour. (arrive)
  2. It’s time they __________ their own dinner. (cook)
  3. It’s about time I __________ my computer. (update)
  4. It’s high time he __________ his room; it’s a mess! (clean)
  5. It’s time I __________ a new pair of glasses. (buy)
  6. It’s about time you __________ that old coat away. (throw)
  7. It’s high time she __________ an apology for her behavior. (send)
  8. It’s time we __________ the garden; the grass is very long. (mow)
  9. It’s about time they __________ to each other again. (speak)
  10. It’s high time they __________ their debt. (pay)
  11. It’s time you __________ more attention in class. (pay)
  12. It’s about time you __________ your car; it’s making a strange noise. (fix)
  13. It’s high time we __________ a vacation. (take)
  14. It’s time he __________ how to drive. (learn)
  15. It’s about time we __________ more sustainable energy. (use)
  16. It’s high time you __________ looking for your keys. (start)
  17. It’s time they __________ a decision about the project. (make)
  18. It’s about time he __________ some responsibility. (take)
  19. It’s high time she __________ a promotion. (get)
  20. It’s time we __________ the old furniture. (replace)

Exercise 3

Give me advice using the constructions from this lesson.

  1. I keep forgetting important appointments.
  2. I've been spending too much time on social media.
  3. My room is always disorganised.
  4. I've been procrastinating on my project.
  5. I haven't visited my family in a long time.
  6. I'm always tired in the mornings.
  7. I haven't been doing sports lately.
  8. I haven't been eating very healthily.

Exercise 4

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?