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i dont understand why the past is used in this sentence instead of present

its getting cold. it is time the kids ( went) home .

Quizzical · 46-50, M

I think it's because they are returning to their place of origin. I was a little unsure of that one myself. But we have always used 'went' in that sort of situation.

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NankerPhelge · 61-69, M

@Quizzical: It would be better to say "It's getting dark now, it's time for the kids to go home", so how come we don't say that?

Quizzical · 46-50, M

@Bottomschmackenloudenboomer: Because I don't have any kids? :p

NankerPhelge · 61-69, M

@Quizzical: Neither do I, but some of my friends have and they say "It's time we went home".

ruzgar · 22-25

There is an app called HiNative,you can ask grammar questions to native speakers
you can try it,its helpful

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ruzgar · 22-25

Well,languages just exist
sometimes rules aren't helpful because there are no rules 😅

Quizzical · 46-50, M

@ghostdolly: You get that a lot in English because of it's multiple origin languages. One rule for one thing just doesn't fit somewhere else...

ruzgar · 22-25

I think all languages are like that now 🤔

NankerPhelge · 61-69, M

Oddly enough, I have never questioned that before. It's something everybody says. I see what you mean though. Admittedly it doesn't make sense on the surface of it, it would be more logical to use the present tense.

MartinII · 70-79, M

I think it's the subjunctive, not the past. 🤔

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