Imaginary past or subjunctive

[frank]

Test No. express/advan-17 "Down to Earth", question 2

I think we've had our fun and now it's time we got down to the idea of earning some money.

(a) began slowly to consider
(b) began easily to consider
(c) began seriously to consider
(d) began frankly to consider

Test No. express/advan-17 "Down to Earth", answer 2

I think we've had our fun and now it's time we began seriously to consider the idea of earning some money.

Correct answer: (c) began seriously to consider
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why not present tense "get down"

It is time we get down?

[Alan]

This is an example of the so called imaginary past or subjunctive and means We should get down to You can find that use in a sentence like: It's time we left meaning: It's time we should leave.
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English as a Second Language
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