It is high time you … this place.

Analyze the question The sentence is "It is high time you ...... this place." The key phrase is "It is high time", which is followed by a subject and a verb in a particular form.

Explain the concept After the expressions it is time, it is high time and it is about time, English uses the simple past tense (or the past subjunctive). The verb looks past, but the meaning is present or future. It suggests that the action should already have happened, and that it is late or overdue.

• It is high time we went home.
• It is high time he studied harder.
• It is high time you left this place.

(We can also say "It is time to leave," but once a subject like you is placed after "time," the verb must be in the past form.)

Step-by-step solution

1. Spot the structure: "It is high time + subject + ..."
2. The rule says to use the simple past form of the verb.
3. Check the options: • A. left is the simple past, so it fits the rule. • B. leave is the present form, so it is wrong after "high time + subject." • C. had left is the past perfect, which is too far back in time and not used here. • D. have left is the present perfect, which is not the correct pattern.

Answer: The correct option is A. left.

Exam tip Remember the phrase "High time = past tense." The same rule applies to It's about time and It's time (with a subject), and to I'd rather you + past. For example, "I'd rather you came tomorrow." WASSCE, JAMB and NECO often test this pattern, so watch for it.