I was flown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was flown" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is the passive form of the verb "fly" and means that the person was transported by air. Example: "I was flown to London for a business meeting last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

I was flown to England for treatment.

The New York Times - Magazine

But I was flown back to Cambridge.

The Guardian

Treatment in hand, I was flown to Los Angeles for a meeting blitz.

The New Yorker

The first time I sat there, I was flown to America and back for a book tour.

The New Yorker

At 4 months old, I was flown from my orphanage in India to my adoptive parents in Groton, Mass.

The Washington Post

I was flown home, missing the end of the festival, where Fanny and Elvis won the audience prize.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

I was flying along.

The New Yorker

I was flying.

The New York Times

Seconds later, I was flying.

The New York Times - Travel

I was flying out of Milwaukee recently.

The New York Times

"I was flying," Payton said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was flown" to clearly and concisely describe situations where you were transported by air, especially when someone else arranged or paid for the travel.

Common error

Avoid using "I was flew". "Flew" is the past tense, not the past participle. The correct past participle of 'fly' to use in passive constructions like this is 'flown'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was flown" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (I) was the recipient of the action (being flown). It's a concise way to describe how someone was transported by airplane, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was flown" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction that describes being transported by air. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and clear. Its usage is most prevalent in news and media contexts, conveying that someone arranged or facilitated the air travel. While it's a versatile phrase, remember to use the correct past participle ("flown", not "flew"). For alternative expressions, consider "I traveled by plane" or "I was transported by air", but be mindful of the subtle differences in emphasis. Ludwig's examples provide clear context of use cases, demonstrating its appropriateness in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was transported by air

A more formal way of saying the same thing, emphasizing the method of transport.

I was taken by plane

Similar in meaning but less common in usage.

I traveled by plane

Focuses on the mode of transport rather than the action of being transported by someone else.

I was sent by airplane

Indicates someone arranged for you to travel by plane.

I journeyed by airplane

A more descriptive and elaborate way to describe air travel.

I took a flight

Highlights the act of taking a flight rather than being flown.

My transportation was by air

A passive construction that puts emphasis on transportation method.

Air travel was arranged for me

Emphasizes the arrangement of the travel rather than the travel itself.

A plane ticket was booked for me

Focuses on the booking of the ticket, implying travel.

I was airlifted

Suggests being transported by helicopter, often in an emergency situation.

FAQs

How can I use "I was flown" in a sentence?

Use "I was flown" to describe a situation where someone arranged for you to travel by plane. For example, "I was flown to New York for a conference."

What's a more formal way to say "I was flown"?

A more formal alternative is "I was transported by air". This emphasizes the method of transportation in a more professional tone.

What can I say instead of "I was flown" if I want to emphasize my own action?

If you want to highlight your own action of taking a flight, you could say "I took a flight" or "I traveled by plane".

Is it correct to say "I was flew" instead of "I was flown"?

No, "I was flew" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle of the verb "fly" is "flown", so the correct phrase is "I was flown".