2015-08-21
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Short responses can be made with wish and if only It would be nice if Tessa was/were/could be here now! - I wish/If only she wasUshe werel/she could be! You should have come with us - / wish/If only I had! I can help you with that box - I wish/If only you would!
11.43 'It's (high) time' and 'It's about time!
These expressions are used with the past tense or the subjunctive [> 11.42.1, 11.75.1] to refer to the present and future
It's (high) time he was (or were) taught a lesson
It's about time he learnt to look after himself
(= the time has come)
Could (but not would) is sometimes possible Isn't it about time our baby could walk?
Negatives are not used after if s (high) time and if s about time Short responses are possible with these expressions / still haven t thanked Aunt Lucy for her present It's time you did. (you're taking too long over it)
Compare the use of if s time in We ve enpyed the evening but it's time (for us) to go (i e the time has now arrived for us to go) We ve enjoyed the evening but it's time we went (i e we should probably have left before this)
Expressing preferences with 'would rather' and 'would sooner'
