Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

Û

539 Glossary for any unfamiliar terms

Present time | 605

---

Note also the expression It’s time … . When used with a finite clause, the verb is

in the past simple form:

It’s time you 

got up.

(It’s time you get up.)

It’s time that we 

did something about it.

WILL REFERRING TO GENERAL TRUTHS OR USED FOR POLITENESS

344

Will

can be used to refer to generally accepted truths and to what we might always

expect to happen:

I suppose most people 

will prefer to own their home.

In the evening he

’ll sit all night watching TV.

Will

can sometimes be used to soften a directive or to make it more polite:

I’m sorry but I

’ll have to ask you to sit in the Waiting Room for a few minutes.

(compare the more direct: I’m sorry but I have to ask you to sit in the Waiting

Room …)

Will you turn the TV down please. I’m on the phone.