Read the sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical or idiomatic error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The corresponding letter of that part is the answer. If the given sentence is correct as it is, then choose option ‘No error’ as the answer response. (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any).

It's high time we address (A)/ the environmental issues affecting (B)/our community and took meaningful (C)/ steps towards sustainability (D).

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (A).

Error part

Part (A): "It's high time we address..."

The verb "address" is incorrect. In this specific construction, it must be in the simple past tense: "addressed."

Grammar rule: "It is high time" + Subject + Past Subjunctive

When we use the expressions "It is time," "It is high time," or "It is about time" followed by a subject, we use the simple past tense of the verb. This is a form of the subjunctive mood used to express that something should have happened already or is long overdue.

• Structure: It's high time + Subject + Past Tense Verb
• Logic: Even though the meaning is present or future (we need to do it now), the grammar requires the past tense to show the urgency of the delay.

Why part (C) is a clue

Notice that part (C) uses the word "took" ("...and took meaningful steps"). Since "took" is already in the past tense, the verb in part (A) must also be in the past tense (addressed) to maintain parallel structure in the sentence.

Example

• Incorrect: It's high time you go to bed.
• Correct: It's high time you went to bed. (Meaning: You should have been in bed already).
• Correct: It's time for us to leave. (Note: If there is no subject like "we," you can use the infinitive "to leave").

Corrected Sentence:

It's high time we addressed (A) the environmental issues affecting (B) our community and took meaningful (C) steps towards sustainability (D).