Mastering irregular verbs in English can be challenging, especially when their past and past participle forms differ significantly from the base form. One such verb is to fly, which is commonly used but often misunderstood when it comes to tense changes. Understanding how to properly use to fly, flew, and flown is essential for clear, grammatically correct writing and speaking. Whether you’re talking about birds, airplanes, or the idea of traveling, this verb appears in various contexts and tenses, so learning its correct usage is important for English learners and native speakers alike.
The Base Form To Fly
The verb to fly is the base or infinitive form. It refers to the action of moving through the air, often with wings, or by means of an aircraft or similar vehicle. It can also be used metaphorically, as in time flies.
Examples
- Birdsflysouth for the winter.
- I wantto flyto London next month.
- She dreams of learningto flya plane.
In present tense, fly is conjugated depending on the subject
- I/We/You/Theyfly
- He/She/Itflies
The Simple Past Form Flew
Flew is the simple past tense of fly. It is used to describe actions that happened at a specific time in the past. This form does not require any helping (auxiliary) verbs in affirmative sentences.
Examples
- The birdflewaway before I could take a picture.
- Sheflewto Paris last summer.
- Weflewover the mountains as the sun was rising.
Note that flew always indicates a completed action in the past. It should not be used for ongoing or future events.
The Past Participle Form Flown
Flown is the past participle of fly and is typically used with helping verbs such as have, has, or had. It is commonly used in the present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect tenses.
Examples
- I haveflownon that airline several times.
- They hadflownacross the country before sunset.
- By this time next week, she will haveflownto Tokyo.
Flown cannot stand alone as the main verb in a sentence. It must always be accompanied by an auxiliary verb.
Summary of Verb Forms
| Base Form | Past Tense | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| Fly | Flew | Flown |
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Because fly is an irregular verb, its different forms are often confused. Here are some typical mistakes and tips to correct them
- IncorrectI haveflewto New York before.
CorrectI haveflownto New York before. - IncorrectHe hasflyedmany times.
CorrectHe hasflownmany times. - IncorrectWeflownto Chicago last week.
CorrectWeflewto Chicago last week.
Usage in Idiomatic Expressions
Fly and its forms also appear in various idiomatic expressions that are worth noting for both casual and formal speech
- Time fliesTime passes quickly.Time flies when you’re having fun.
- Fly off the handleTo suddenly become angry.He flew off the handle when he saw the mess.
- On the flyWhile in motion or without preparation.She made the decision on the fly.
- Fly highTo be successful.Their new product is flying high in the market.
These idioms do not always refer to literal flight but make use of the verb’s symbolic meanings of speed, freedom, and change.
Fly in Different Tenses
Understanding how to use fly across various tenses enhances your ability to express time and action clearly.
Present Simple
- I fly to work every day.
Past Simple
- I flew to Rome last summer.
Present Perfect
- I have flown with them twice.
Past Perfect
- They had flown over the ocean before sunrise.
Future Perfect
- By tomorrow, we will have flown 10,000 miles.
Fly in Passive Voice
In passive voice, flown is also used as the past participle
- The package was flown overnight to the customer.
- Several relief workers were flown into the area by helicopter.
Notice that was or were serves as the auxiliary verb in these cases.
Fly in Different Contexts
The verb fly can be used in both literal and figurative contexts. Here’s how
Literal Usage
- The bird flew across the sky.
- The airplane has flown thousands of passengers.
Figurative Usage
- Rumors flew around the office.
- He flew through the test and finished early.
These figurative uses convey ideas of speed, freedom, or sudden movement, making fly a versatile verb in English.
Understanding the verb forms to fly, flew, and flown is essential for anyone who wants to communicate effectively in English. These forms each have specific grammatical roles and cannot be used interchangeably. Fly is the base form used in the present and with modal verbs. Flew is the simple past, while flown is the past participle used with auxiliary verbs. Paying close attention to these forms not only helps avoid common mistakes but also enriches your language use in both everyday and academic settings. Whether you’re talking about birds, aircraft, or abstract ideas, the proper use of fly, flew, and flown gives your English both accuracy and elegance.