it is about time

USAGE SUMMARY

"It is about time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to express that something should have happened a long time ago. Example sentence: "It is about time we had a family reunion. It has been years since we all got together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is about time that the silent majority learnt to open its mouth and speak up.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is about time.

The New York Times

It is about time for us".

The New York Times

If so, it is about time.

Independent

It is about time, too.

The New York Times - Books

It is about time we had another.

The Times

"It is about time they learned".

The Guardian

Well, it is about time travel!

The Guardian

It is about time the war finished.

The Guardian

It is about time the food pyramid was replaced.

Harvard University

It is about time that Israel initiates something on peace".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to convey a sense of urgency or mild impatience in rhetorical writing or editorial content.

Common error

Writers often mistakenly use the present tense or an infinitive after the phrase, such as saying "it is about time for us to go". While understandable, the standard grammatical construction requires a past tense verb in the following clause to correctly signal that the action is overdue.

How to use

Learn how to use "it is about time" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is about time" functions as an idiomatic predicative expression. It typically introduces a subordinate clause using the past subjunctive or simple past tense to describe an action that the speaker believes should have occurred previously. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is standard and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

1%

Social Media

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "it is about time" is a highly versatile and correct English idiom used to signal that an event is overdue. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used in News & Media to add rhetorical weight to arguments for change. The most important technical aspect to remember is the tense selection; standard usage requires a past tense verb in the following clause to maintain grammatical accuracy. Whether you choose this phrase or the more emphatic "it is high time", you are effectively communicating a sense of necessity and relief that a delay is finally ending.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is high time

Adds stronger emphasis and is often considered slightly more formal or traditional.

it's about time

The contracted version, frequently used in spoken English and informal writing.

it is long overdue

A more literal and formal way to state that an action should have happened earlier.

it was about time

Past tense version used when the event has already finally occurred.

about time too

A short, emphatic British-English variation usually added as a tag after a statement.

not a moment too soon

An idiomatic way to emphasize that something happened just before it was too late.

at long last

Focuses on the relief that a lengthy period of waiting has ended.

the time has come

Sounds more dramatic or formal, signaling that the appropriate moment has arrived.

it is finally time

Less idiomatic and more descriptive, highlighting the finality of the wait.

it is now time

Neutral phrasing that indicates the present moment is suitable for the action.

FAQs

How to use "it is about time" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a clause where something should have happened earlier. For example: "it is about time the law caught up".

What is the difference between "it is about time" and "it is high time"?

The two are essentially interchangeable, but "it is high time" is more emphatic and slightly more formal.

Which tense follows "it is about time"?

The past simple is the most common and correct tense to follow the phrase, such as in "it is about time we had another".

Is "it is about time" formal enough for academic writing?

While it appears in academic sources (e.g., Harvard and Duke), it is often used for rhetorical effect. For strictly neutral reports, you might prefer "long overdue".