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Question

Difficulty: EasyVerbs, Tenses, and Aspect

Complete the sentence with the most appropriate verb form: 'It is high time we ________ home to prepare for the upcoming examination.' Which option correctly completes the sentence?

  1. A
    go
  2. wentAnswer
  3. C
    have gone
  4. D
    are going

Answer

went
The expression 'it is high time' when followed immediately by a subject pronoun ('we') requires the verb to be in the simple past tense form to indicate unreal past or subjunctive mood.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the key grammatical expression in the sentence structure.
The phrase 'It is high time' introduces a clause expressing an urgent action that should already have taken place.
Identifying fixed structures determines the appropriate grammatical mood and verb tense required.
2
Apply the unreal past (subjunctive) rule for 'it is high time' followed by a personal subject pronoun.
When 'it is high time' is followed by a noun or subject pronoun ('we'), the finite verb must be in the simple past tense ('went').
In standard English grammar, expressions such as 'it is time' or 'it is high time' mandate the use of simple past tense to convey present or future necessity with a sense of delay.

Key Concept

Unreal Past Subjunctive after 'It is high time'
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Topics

Verbs, Tenses, and Aspect

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