it's time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it's time' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a specific thing must or should be done, for example: "It's time for us to go home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's time".

The New York Times

"It's time for confrontation".

The New York Times

It's time for leadership.

The New York Times

He says it's time.

The New York Times

It's Time to fall.

Independent

It's time to vote".

The New York Times

But maybe it's time.

The New York Times

It's time to leave.

The New York Times

"It's time to rebuild".

The New York Times

It's time, it's rhythm".

The New York Times

It's time to stop".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it's time" with a subject and a verb, remember to use the past simple (the 'unreal' past) to express that something should be happening now, such as "it's time we went home."

Common error

Avoid the common typo of omitting the apostrophe. Use "it's time" (it is time) instead of "its time" (the time belonging to it). "Its" is a possessive pronoun and is never correct in this temporal context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's time" serves as an impersonal construction used to denote that the appropriate or scheduled moment for a specific event or action has been reached. According to Ludwig AI, it acts as a predicate that can be followed by a 'to-infinitive', a prepositional phrase, or a clause in the subjunctive mood.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

General/Conversational

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academic Research

1%

Legal Documents

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it's time" is an essential and versatile idiom in the English language. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and high frequency across a wide array of prestigious sources, including The New York Times and Forbes. It is most effectively used to signal that a moment of action has arrived. Whether you are using it in a literal sense to denote a schedule or in a more figurative sense to advocate for change, it remains a powerful tool for writers. Remember to maintain the distinction between the contraction and the possessive, and consider using the past tense for the following verb when a subject is included (e.g. "it's time they acted") to ensure grammatical precision in more sophisticated contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is time for

Specifically used when followed by a noun or a gerund rather than an infinitive.

the time has come

Carries a more formal and slightly more dramatic or decisive tone.

now is the time

Places more emphasis on the present moment as the ideal starting point.

it is high time

Emphasizes that the action is overdue and should have happened sooner.

it is about time

Often used to express slight impatience or relief that something is finally happening.

it's time to act

Adds a specific imperative for action rather than just a general state.

now is the moment

Focuses on the immediate opportunity rather than just a schedule.

the moment has arrived

More formal and often used to mark the start of a significant event.

time's up

Indicates that the allotted period for something has ended.

the hour is upon us

Highly formal or literary way to signal a major transition.

FAQs

Is "it's time" or "it is time" correct?

Both are grammatically correct. "it's time" is the common contracted form used in speech and informal writing, while "it is time" is used for formal emphasis.

What can I say instead of "it's time"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the time has come", "it is high time", or "now is the moment".

What is the difference between "it's time" and "it's about time"?

"it's time" is a neutral statement that the moment has arrived, whereas "it's about time" implies that the action is late or long-awaited.

Should I use the past tense after "it's time"?

Yes, if you follow the phrase with a subject and verb, use the past tense: "it's time you "started working"". This is called the subjunctive mood and indicates a current necessity.