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English Grammar


we fostered or we foster

Sunny19
User since 2008
Posts: 121

22 Feb. 2009

"It's time we fostered a sense of team spirit"


I'm unsure why GYmglish doesn't propose: It's time we foster a sense of team spirit.
Is it a matter of sequence of tenses or of modality?
And how could we express the difference in meaning if both of them work?

4 comments

  • User since 2008
    Posts: 121

    22 Feb. 2009

    "It's time we fostered a sense of team spirit"


    I'm unsure why GYmglish doesn't propose: It's time we foster a sense of team spirit.
    Is it a matter of sequence of tenses or of modality?
    And how could we express the difference in meaning if both of them work?
  • User since 2006
    Posts: 2715

    26 Feb. 2009

    Hugs and pogs to you, Gwendo.
    It's high time we had.
  • User since 2006
    Posts: 2715

    22 Feb. 2009

    Far be it from me to impose my own ideas. As a matter of fact, that are not my own ideas but what I learned from the GG.
    The subjunctive present may not be used after "it's time". But you might say:
    Someone had suggested that we foster a sense of team spirit.
    Would you ask that we foster a touch of good spirits?
    It's essential that foster a bit of high spirits.
    Who wouldn't prefer that we foster a sense of mutual aid?
    Yeah! It's about time we fostered that sense of mutual aid.
  • User since 2006
    Posts: 2715

    22 Feb. 2009

    It's time you came and saw us, dear Loisl19.
    It's high time you spoke.
    It's about time we grabbed a drink.


    It's time (that) something happened.
    "It's time" always calls for a subjunctive preterit in the dependent clause.


    The same goes with
    if (I would sing a song, if I were you.)
    wish (I wish the song delighted me.)
    would rather (I would rather you sang and were happy.)


    Now it's about time I got going. I wish you quite agreed. Do you?

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