It's (high) time 的虚拟
「该是做某事的时候了」，从句动词用过去式，或用 should + 动词原形。
It's (high) time (that) sb did sth
要点
- 从句谓语用过去式（be 多用 were）：It's time we went home.
- 也可用 should + 动词原形，但 should 不能省：It's time that we should go.
- 加 high / about 加强语气，含「早该……了」：It's high time you had a rest.
- 别与不表虚拟的两个句型混：It's time for class. ／ It's time to have class.
- 同样要求用过去式的还有 would rather 与 as if：I'd rather you told me the truth.
- 说"该某人做"有两条路，别拼在一起：It's time for us to leave.（for + 人 + to do，不退格）对比 It's time we left.（从句退成过去式）。
- 这一式只管"现在就该"；要说"快到了"得换 It is nearly time… 那一类说法：It is nearly time for the train to leave. —— 不能拿 It's time… 那式去说明天。
- 从句里要表被动，照过去式的被动走：It's time the windows were cleaned. —— 不是 It's time the windows are cleaned.
例句
It's high time we had a long talk with him.
我们早该和他好好谈一谈了。
It's time the children went to bed.
孩子们该睡觉了。
It's time for breakfast. Come and wash your hands.
该吃早饭了，来洗洗手。
It's high time that he should be sent to hospital.
早该把他送到医院去了。
It's time the letters were posted.
这些信早该寄出去了。
It will soon be time to close the shop.
快到该关店的时间了。
易错提示
- 「It's time + 从句」里绝不能用一般现在时：It's time we go 是错的，要写 went。
- 中文「早该……了」的语感就是 high time，用过去式并不表示过去的时间。
- 老要点最后那条顺带提到的 would rather 与 as if，各自完整的退格规矩在「would rather / had better」与「虚拟语气：wish / as if」里，别在这一页再记一份。