On the fly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "On the fly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is done quickly or spontaneously, without prior planning or preparation. Example: "I had to make changes to the presentation on the fly when I realized some data was outdated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The evolution happened on the fly.

The New York Times - Arts

The site evolved on the fly.

The New Yorker

"She can make adjustments on the fly".

The New York Times - Sports

Just makes stuff up on the fly.

The New York Times

Changing on the fly.

The New York Times - Sports

Everything happened on the fly.

The New York Times

They're making it up on the fly.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

He's a very on-the-fly guy.

The Guardian - Music

"A lot of that was on-the-fly learning".

The New York Times

3) On-The-Fly Sensitivity adjustment.

TechCrunch

On-the-fly adjustment of relocation orders is also possible.

Journal of Big Data

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "On the fly" when you want to emphasize adaptability and quick thinking in response to unforeseen circumstances. It's suitable when describing dynamic processes or decisions made in real-time.

Common error

Avoid using "On the fly" in highly formal documents or presentations where precision and pre-planning are expected. Opt for more formal alternatives like "in real-time" or "spontaneously" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "On the fly" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate that something is done spontaneously or without prior planning. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Sports

22%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "On the fly" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to describe actions performed spontaneously and without prior planning. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news, sports, and general discussions. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "in real-time" for academic or business writing. Remember that Ludwig provides several examples from authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Without preparation

Directly states the absence of prior planning.

Spontaneously

Emphasizes the action arising from a natural impulse.

Extemporaneously

Focuses on the spontaneous nature of the action.

Impromptu

Highlights the lack of premeditation.

Off the cuff

Emphasizes informality and spontaneity.

On the spot

Indicates that a decision or action is made immediately.

In real-time

Highlights that something is happening instantly and concurrently with the activity it is related to.

Ad-lib

Specifically refers to improvising words or actions.

As you go

Describes making progress while simultaneously adapting.

In the moment

Highlights acting according to what is immediately present.

FAQs

How can I use "On the fly" in a sentence?

You can use "On the fly" to describe actions or adjustments made without prior planning. For example: "The software calculates results /s/spontaneously" or "We had to make changes /s/on+the+spot".

What are some alternatives to "On the fly"?

Some alternatives include "extemporaneously", "impromptu", or "without preparation", depending on the specific context.

Is "On the fly" appropriate for formal writing?

While "On the fly" is widely understood, it may be considered too informal for certain types of formal writing. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "in real-time" or "spontaneously".

What does "On the fly" mean in the context of software development?

In software development, "On the fly" often refers to computations or processes that are performed in real-time, as needed, rather than being pre-calculated or stored. This is similar to saying calculations are done /s/spontaneously.