It’s time…

This expression is translated into Spanish as “Ya es hora de que…” In English, we can use it in two different ways:

1. Followed by infinitive

• It’s time we buy a new computer.

(Ya es hora de comprar un ordenador)

If we want to say who should do something, we use for + object + infinitive

• It’s time for the children to go to bed.

(Ya es hora de que los niños vayan a la cama)

2. Followed by past tense with present meaning

It’s time can also be followed by a subject with a past tense verb. The meaning is present.

• It’s time we solved the situation, it’s unbearable.

(Ya es hora de que resolvamos la situación, es insoportable)

• I’m tired, it’s time I went home

(Es hora de que me vaya a casa)

Apart from “It’s time…”, we can also use “It’s high time…”. We normally use it in British English to say that something is urgent.

• It’s high time you got a job.

(Ya es hora de que consigas un trabajo)