It's high time he was vs It's high time he were

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'It's high time he was' is used when referring to a past action or situation, while 'it's high time he were' is used when expressing a hypothetical or unreal situation in the present. The choice between 'was' and 'were' depends on the context and the intended meaning.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 1305 views

It's high time he was

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a past action or situation.

This phrase is used to express that something should have happened or should be the case by now. 'Was' is the past tense of 'to be' and is used in this context.

Examples:

It's high time he was promoted to a higher position.
It's high time he was given the recognition he deserves.

Show examples from the web [+]

It's high time he learned a thing or two about rangering.
It was high time he graduated to something bigger.
It's high time a succession plan stood in place.
-I think it's high time you learned some manners.
It's high time you started taking care of yourself.
It's high time she left for Milan.
And it's high time you met yours.
Then it's high time that you learned.
It's high time you experience the warmth of our Southern hospitality.
It's high time our students had something to celebrate.
It's high time Agnes admitted to being a mother.
It's high time the Food Service puppet masters took ignorance and injustice off the menu.
It's high time to talk seriously about tap.
It's high time we kicked them out.
It's high time to accept the fact that a woman might not just be your co-worker.
It's high time our families got together.
It's high time Agnes admitted to being a mother.
It's high time I leave this rock.
It's high time they made a move on.
It's high time we attacked.

Alternatives:

It's about time he was
It's past time he was
It's time he was
It's long overdue that he was
It's well past time he was

It's high time he were

This phrase is correct and is used when expressing a hypothetical or unreal situation in the present.

'Were' is the subjunctive form of 'to be' and is used to express a hypothetical or unreal situation. This phrase is used to indicate a wish or desire for something that is not currently true.

Examples:

It's high time he were more responsible in his actions.
It's high time he were honest with himself.

Show examples from the web [+]

It's high time he learned a thing or two about rangering.
It was high time he graduated to something bigger.
It's high time a succession plan stood in place.
-I think it's high time you learned some manners.
It's high time you started taking care of yourself.
It's high time she left for Milan.
And it's high time you met yours.
Then it's high time that you learned.
It's high time you experience the warmth of our Southern hospitality.
It's high time our students had something to celebrate.
It's high time Agnes admitted to being a mother.
It's high time the Food Service puppet masters took ignorance and injustice off the menu.
It's high time to talk seriously about tap.
It's high time we kicked them out.
It's high time to accept the fact that a woman might not just be your co-worker.
It's high time our families got together.
It's high time Agnes admitted to being a mother.
It's high time I leave this rock.
It's high time they made a move on.
It's high time we attacked.

Alternatives:

It's high time he be
It's high time he became
It's high time he acted like
It's high time he started being
It's high time he began to be

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It's high time he was vs It's high time he were