as it flies through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it flies through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something in motion, often in a poetic or descriptive context. Example: "The bird soared gracefully, as it flies through the open sky, free and unburdened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

That way, the golden beam carries an electric current as it flies through the apparatus.

The Economist

Somehow the ball never comes down -- it can remain aloft for 20 seconds as it flies through the air.

The New York Times - Sports

You can see urban history happening, just as Muybridge lets you see water cavorting as it flies through the air.

The Guardian - Arts

"If you listen carefully you can hear the fish say 'Hey' as it flies through the air.

The New York Times

An aircraft in flight follows en route air traffic control instructions as it flies through successive flight information regions (FIRs).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In other words, the engine harvests energy from the hot gas to collect and compress air as it flies through the sky.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

While the bright specks seen in the images ranged in size from golf balls to perhaps basketballs, the spacecraft did not suffer any damage as it flew through the storm at a speed of 27,000 miles an hour.

The New York Times - Science

Rizzoli was clearly in no position to judge the offside, but could confirm that Francesco Lodi had got his boot to the ball as it flew through the area.

The Guardian - Sport

The particles were analyzed by the Cassini spacecraft as it flew through the plume.

Science Magazine

An Malaysian Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed after being hit by a Russian-made missile as it flew through Ukrainian airspace.

BBC

The team at the University of Maryland's Perception and Robotics Group reported that the drone was 85percentt accurate as it flew through various openings.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as it flies through" to vividly describe the movement of an object or the passage of time, especially when aiming for a sense of dynamism and continuity.

Common error

Avoid using "as it flies through" in situations where the subject is stationary or the action is not indicative of actual flight. It implies motion and should not be applied metaphorically to things that are not moving.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it flies through" functions as an adverbial clause, modifying a verb by describing the manner or circumstance of an action. Ludwig AI confirms that this structure is grammatically sound and used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as it flies through" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial clause to vividly describe movement. Primarily found in news, media, and science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various descriptive purposes. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects motion and direction, and avoid using it in static contexts. Consider alternatives like "as it moves through" or "while it soars through" to match the intended meaning more precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while it soars through

Replaces 'flies' with 'soars', suggesting a more majestic and effortless movement.

as it glides along

Changes 'flies through' to 'glides along', implying a smoother, less forceful movement.

as it speeds through

Substitutes 'flies' with 'speeds', emphasizing the velocity of the movement.

while it passes through

Replaces 'flies' with 'passes', focusing on the act of moving from one point to another.

as it journeys through

Changes 'flies' to 'journeys', suggesting a longer or more significant passage.

as it sails through

Replaces 'flies' with 'sails', evoking a sense of ease and smoothness, often associated with wind or water.

as it shoots through

Substitutes 'flies' with 'shoots', emphasizing a rapid and direct movement.

as it rushes through

Changes 'flies' to 'rushes', implying a hurried or urgent movement.

as it travels through

Replaces 'flies' with 'travels', which is a more general term for moving from one place to another.

while it drifts through

Changes 'flies' to 'drifts', indicating a slow and undirected movement.

FAQs

How can I use "as it flies through" in a sentence?

This phrase typically describes the movement of an object or entity traversing a space or medium. For example: "The bird soared gracefully, "as it flies through" the open sky." or "The data packet is encrypted "as it flies through" the network".

What are some alternatives to "as it flies through"?

Depending on the specific context, you might consider using alternatives like "while it soars through", "as it glides along", or "as it passes through".

Is it correct to use "as it flies through" metaphorically?

While technically grammatically correct, using "as it flies through" metaphorically can sometimes feel unnatural if the subject doesn't inherently relate to flight or rapid movement. Alternatives might be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "as it flies through" and "as it moves through"?

"As it flies through" specifically implies a rapid, often aerial, movement. "As it moves through" is more general and can apply to any type of movement, regardless of speed or medium.