its time

USAGE SUMMARY

"its time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to mean that an event or situation is starting or occurring now. For example, "Its time to go home. We've been here for hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why shouldn't it have its time?

Independent

It takes its time.

Wikipedia

It had its time and place.

Wikipedia

Yes, it is of its time.

Independent

Maybe it was ahead of its time.

The New York Times - Arts

(It was perhaps before its time).

Los Angeles Times

It was way ahead of its time.

The New Yorker

It was very much of its time.

Independent

It was just ahead of its time.

Forbes

Its time for action.

The New York Times

Death took its time.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "its time" to signal the beginning of an activity, a shift in focus, or a call to action. For instance, "Its time to address the pending issues."

Common error

Avoid confusing "its", a possessive pronoun, with "it's", which is a contraction of "it is" or "it has". The correct phrase, "its time", indicates that the time belongs to something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "its time" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or part of a prepositional phrase. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, demonstrating its flexibility across various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

11%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "its time" is a commonly used phrase that signals the commencement of an event or activity. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and versatile. However, it is crucial to differentiate between the possessive "its" and the contraction "it's" to avoid errors. Common contexts for its usage include news, media, and general writing. Remember that while correct, "its time" needs to align with the intended possessive meaning, which is less frequent than "it's time". It's essential to ensure that the possessive form accurately reflects the intended meaning as the AI models underline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the time has come

Replaces the possessive pronoun and uses a more emphatic phrasing.

now is the time

Emphasizes the present moment as the opportune one.

it is the right moment

Highlights the appropriateness of the current timing.

the moment is ripe

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate readiness.

it's the opportune moment

Replaces "time" with "opportune moment" making it more formal.

the juncture is at hand

Employs more formal and less common vocabulary.

the hour is upon us

Uses more dramatic and figurative language.

this is the moment

Focuses on the present as a specific point in time.

opportunity knocks

Uses a common idiom to convey the availability of a chance.

the stage is set

Employs a theatrical metaphor to suggest readiness for action.

FAQs

How can I use "its time" in a sentence?

You can use "its time" to indicate that an event should begin or that the moment for something has arrived. For example, "Its time to start the meeting" or "Its time to consider alternative options."

What's the difference between "its time" and "it's time"?

"Its time" shows possession, indicating that something owns or is associated with the time, which is rarely the intended meaning.

"It's time" (with an apostrophe) is the contraction of "it is time", which is the correct form to use when stating that a specific moment or occasion has arrived.

Are there any formal alternatives to "its time"?

Yes, you can use more formal phrases such as "the time has come" or "the opportune moment" depending on the context.

Is "its time" always the correct phrasing?

While "its time" is grammatically correct, it's essential to ensure that the possessive form accurately reflects the intended meaning. The phrase "it's time" is typically more appropriate for stating that a specific moment has arrived.