Meaning
It signals that a long‑awaited or necessary action should finally be taken, creating urgency and resolve.
Primary Function
Call to action
Communicative Purpose
To announce readiness for decisive next steps after delays or waiting periods.
Pattern
The time has come to
Core Structure
The time has come to
Função primária
Call to action
Propósito comunicativo
To announce readiness for decisive next steps after delays or waiting periods.
Situações de gatilho
Political speeches, official announcements, moments when change is imminent (e.g., election campaigns, policy rollouts).
Contextos
Formal public addresses, written documents such as manifestos, letters from leaders; also used rhetorically in informal discourse to emphasize timing.
Padrão
The time has come to
Estrutura central
The time has come to
Slots de substituição
infinitive verb phrase (e.g., act, decide, move on)
Colocados típicos
- to act
- to make a decision
- to move forward
- to implement change
Substituições comuns
- It is time to …
- The moment has arrived to …
Erros comuns
Using past tense (*The time had come*) which changes the meaning from present urgency to historical completion.
Similar / contraste
It’s high time – uses past perfect to indicate that something should have been done earlier rather than emphasizing immediate readiness.
Interferências
None
Família do chunk
- call-to-action frames
Nuance
Conveys a dramatic, solemn tone appropriate for formal or persuasive contexts; not interchangeable with casual ‘it’s about time’.
Efeito pragmático
Creates an atmosphere of occasion and resolve, prompting listeners/readers to accept the call to action without hesitation.
Dica de memória
The time has come to + infinitive
Nota
This chunk requires careful attention to the urgency and solemnity of the context in which it is used, as it is often employed to signal major transitions or decisions.
Upgrade path
Reformulate as: "The time has come to rethink our approach entirely."
Log in to save chunks.