It is high time…. / It is time….

There is a confusion in the use of ‘It is high time’ and ‘It is time’ The former is used when we wish to state that  something should have been done long back. It is already a bit late.

So, ‘high time’ is always followed by the past tense form of the verb.

E.g.,

It is high time you started preparing for the examinations. ( You should have started long back; start at least now.)

It is high time Anu took her responsibilities seriously.

On the other hand,

‘It is time to’  is used to indicate that it is the right time to do something.

E.g.,

It is time to wind up the meeting.

It is time to pack our things.

It is time to start cooking.