English grammar can be extremely tricky!
This is especially true for subjunctive mood.
Today you’ll learn how to express in English that something is overdue or should have happened already.
Listen to today’s episode and get three different grammar forms to do this in English.
Today’s question
Today’s episode is inspired by a listener’s question about subjunctive grammar.
How are you doing?
This is Ahmad Qunies from Saudi Arabia. My learning English journey completely changed since 5 months once I started listening to your podcast. I wish you all the best and full of success with your great podcast.
Few weeks ago I heard the following sentence from a speaker talking about his son that it is the time to go to sleep:
“It is time he went to bed”
I didn’t used to hear similar sentences before but I understand that the speaker meant the present while using the past tense. Can you please clarify how we use the past tense to express the present?
I wish to hear one podcast about this sentence.
Best regards,
Ahmad Qunies
This is a very interesting question.
It is a very high-level skill to learn how to use the subjunctive mood.
It can be confusing but once you master this, it will definitely make you sound more native and natural in English.
Subjunctive mood
Lindsay and Aubrey share with you the building blocks of how to properly structure subjunctive mood.
This will help you better understand how to use it.
Interestingly, subjunctive is a mood and not a tense.
The difference between a mood and a tense is that a mood is used to convey the speaker’s attitude toward something.
It is often used to refer to hypothetical situations.
The subjunctive often uses past tense verbs when you would expect to see the present tense.
It’s time…
Ahmad’s example shows the subjunctive mood with the phrase, “It’s time…”
“It is time he went to bed.“
The verb ‘went’ is in the past, instead of ‘go’ in the present tense.
In this example, the speaker is saying that it’s already expected for someone to be in bed.
Today we’ll share multiple options for conveying this same meaning.
#1: Subjunctive mood
First, let’s look at constructing this phrase using the subjunctive.
Verbs in the present subjunctive take the infinitive form.
Verbs in the past subjunctive are identical to their past simple form.
Here are some examples:
- It’s time I got my haircut. It is really long.
- It’s time I looked for a different job. I need more flexibility.
All these mean that it’s past time for these things to happen.
It is long overdue and it is expected that it should have already happened.
Don’t miss this deep dive of subjunctive mood in English.
#2: It’s time + infinitive
You can avoid the subjunctive by using an infinitive after the words ‘it’s time’.
Here are examples using this form:
- It’s time to go to bed.
- It’s time to cut my hair.
- It’s time to look for a new job.
These mean it’s time for you to do the action.
In order to convey that something is overdue, you can add the phrase “high time”.
- It’s high time to go to bed.
- It’s high time to cut my hair.
- It’s high time to look for a new job.
These phrases mean that these actions are overdue to.
#3: It’s time + for
The third option is to say “it’s time” followed by “for” and the action.
Here are some examples:
- It’s time for you to go to bed.
- It’s time for you to cut your hair.
These just mean that the time has arrived.
Once again, you can add “high time” to imply that it is overdue.
- It’s high time for you to go to bed.
- It’s high time for you to cut your hair.
This implies that it’s past time for the action to happen.
Roleplay
Here is a quick roleplay from Lindsay and Aubrey using the grammar tips shared in today’s episode.
This will help you better understand how to use them in an English conversation.
In this scenario, Lindsay and Aubrey are discussing new eateries.
Aubrey: It’s time we tried that new Italian restaurant. I’ve heard it’s great.
Lindsay: I agree. It’s also time to check out that bakery downtown.
Aubrey: Nice! I wish I were there right now.
Lindsay: What are we waiting for? I think it’s time for us to jump in the car.In this roleplay, the different options are used.
It’s time we tried = It’s time + subjunctive mood
It’s time to check = It’s time + infinitive
It’s time for us to = It’s time + for
Takeaway
It can be difficult to master the subjunctive mood in English.
Today’s tips will help you sound more native and natural.
They also give you a way to avoid the subjunctive mood until you’re confident using it!
Try using the phrase “It’s time” followed by the past tense verb to try out the subjunctive.
Remember, Connection NOT Perfection.™
The goal is for you to get to a level to be able to connect in English.
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