It was the first time that we had joined in the discussion.
句式“This/It is/was the first/second ... last time + that从句”表示“这是第……次做某事”。其中,that引导的是定语从句,that在口语中常省略。
对于此句式,我们需要掌握that从句的时态:若前面的be动词为is,从句通常用现在完成时;若其为was,则从句用过去完成时。例如:
It is the first time that I have written to a foreign pen friend. 这是我第一次给外国笔友写信。
It was the third time that he had asked the same question. 这是他第三次问同一个问题。
It was the first time that we joined in the discussion.
It was the first time that we joined in the discussion