it was high time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was high time' is correct and perfectly usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a situation has gone on for far too long and action should have been taken before now. For example: "It was high time that we replaced our aging computer equipment - our productivity had been dropping for months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Due to its success, we thought it was high time to bring the action to mobile, and we've done so with stunning results".

TechCrunch

It was high time the Minnesota Orchestra and its Finnish music director, Osmo Vanska, brought something else to Carnegie Hall.

The New York Times - Arts

Some said it was high time.

The New York Times

It was high time Swanson did something.

The New York Times

It was high time to fight back.

The New York Times

It was high time someone said it.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was high time to give it a try.

The New York Times

It was high time for Blumenthal to do his.

The Guardian - Books

He added: "And it was high time, after all".

Independent

It was high time too, for Thursday evening the lioness came back to her den.

Princeton University

Instinctively I switched off the engine and indeed it was high time to do this.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was high time" to express a sense of urgency or that an action should have been taken earlier. For instance, "It was high time the company addressed its environmental impact."

Common error

While "it was high time" is widely applicable, be mindful of its slightly informal tone. In highly formal or academic writing, consider alternatives like "it was long overdue" or rephrase the sentence for a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was high time" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express that a particular action or event should have occurred sooner. Ludwig AI provides many examples of its use across varied contexts, confirming its function as an indicator of overdue action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

17%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was high time" is a common idiomatic expression used to indicate that something should have been done sooner. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media and Academia. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the context and desired tone, opting for more formal alternatives when necessary. As Ludwig suggests, understanding the nuances of this phrase will help improve the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was about time

This alternative is a more direct and less formal way of expressing the same sentiment.

it was long overdue

This alternative emphasizes the delay and the necessity of the action.

it was time already

This alternative highlights the urgency and that the moment for something has arrived.

the time was ripe

This alternative suggests that conditions were finally suitable for something to happen.

the moment had come

This alternative emphasizes the significance of the moment.

it was the psychological moment

This alternative indicates that the time was perfect from psychological point of view.

the psychological hour had struck

Similar to 'it was the psychological moment', conveys that the time was perfect from psychological point of view.

it was none too soon

This alternative implies that the action was almost too late.

it couldn't have come at a better time

This alternative highlights how perfect the time for something was.

the opportune moment had arrived

This alternative emphasizes the favorable circumstances for taking action.

FAQs

How can I use "it was high time" in a sentence?

Use "it was high time" to indicate that something should have happened or been done earlier. For example, "It was high time we addressed the issue".

What's a less common alternative to "it was high time"?

While "it was high time" is quite common, a less frequent alternative is "it was none too soon", which implies that something was almost too late.

Is "it is high time" different from "it was high time"?

"It is high time" refers to the present or near future, indicating something needs to happen now. "It was high time" refers to the past, meaning something should have happened earlier.

What can I say instead of "it was high time" in a formal context?

In a formal setting, you could use phrases like "it was long overdue" or rephrase the sentence to be more objective, avoiding idiomatic expressions altogether.