Let's solve this grammar exercise step by step. The key concept here is the use of
"It's high time" and
"It's about time", which are followed by a
subjunctive mood — meaning we use the
past tense of the verb (even though it refers to the present or future). This structure expresses that something should have happened already or is overdue.
The correct form after "It's high time" or "It's about time" is:
>
It's high time + subject + past tense verb
This is not a real past tense, but a grammatical construction to express urgency or necessity.
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We are given these verbs to choose from:
- finish / start / eat / pay / speak / stop / realise / be / get / go
Now let’s go through each sentence one by one.
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(1) It’s about time you _________ less. You are getting fat!
→ We need a verb related to eating. "Eat" fits best.
→ Use past tense:
ate
✔ ate
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(2) It’s high time you _________ more respectful to your parents.
→ "Be" is the correct verb for being respectful.
→ Past tense of "be" is
were
✔ were
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(3) It’s high time we _________ back to our house.
→ "Go" is the verb needed. Past tense:
went
✔ went
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(4) It’s about time you _________ to exercise.
→ "Start" makes sense. Past tense:
started
✔ started
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(5) It’s time you _________ to your mother about your boyfriend.
→ "Speak" fits. Past tense:
spoke
✔ spoke
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(6) It’s high time you _________ more exercise.
→ "Get" is used in "get exercise". Past tense:
got
✔ got
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(7) It’s time you _________ a visit to the dentist.
→ "Pay" is used in "pay a visit". Past tense:
paid
✔ paid
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(8) It’s about time we _________ that we won’t be able to finish the job by the deadline.
→ "Realise" is the best fit. Past tense:
realised
✔ realised
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(9) It’s about time you _________ getting so angry about small things.
→ "Stop" is appropriate. Past tense:
stopped
✔ stopped
---
(10) It’s time you _________ writing your thesis.
→ "Finish" fits. Past tense:
finished
✔ finished
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✔ Final Answers:
1.
ate
2.
were
3.
went
4.
started
5.
spoke
6.
got
7.
paid
8.
realised
9.
stopped
10.
finished
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🔍 Explanation Recap:
- After
"It's high time" or
"It's about time", we use the
past tense of the verb.
- This is a
subjunctive construction expressing urgency or that something is long overdue.
- The past tense does
not mean the action happened in the past; it means it
should happen now.
- Example: "It's high time you went" = "You should go now" (it's overdue).
Let me know if you'd like a printable version or further explanation!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of time worksheet high.
