come flying

USAGE SUMMARY

"come flying" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is occurring rapidly, quickly, or in a hurry. For example: "I was late for work, so I came flying into the office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One could come flying over any time.

Independent

The farmhand "come flying in".

The New York Times

Did the key come flying out?

The Guardian

"A lot of matter will come flying out," he said.

The Washington Post

And if you hit those things, they come flying apart.

The New York Times

And when those mail sacks come flying out — sakes alive!

The New Yorker

Chris would be playing his keyboard, and suddenly a trombone would come flying through the air.

The New York Times

Lots of drivers make errors, but they don't come flying out of the track.

The New York Times - Sports

Just when Mr. Montgomery looked, he saw a big branch come flying down at Mrs. Segal.

The New York Times

Pop bottles too, they can come flying whenever they want to.

The New Yorker

But the arrows are about to come flying at Target's famous bull's-eye logo.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come flying" to add vividness and a sense of urgency or speed to your descriptions. This phrase is particularly effective in narrative contexts.

Common error

While "come flying" is widely accepted, avoid using it excessively in formal or business writing where a more precise and less figurative term might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come flying" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a dynamic descriptor within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It illustrates quick, often forceful movement towards a destination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "come flying" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe rapid, sudden movement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While generally acceptable, it may be prudent to use more formal alternatives in professional writing. The phrase effectively adds vividness and a sense of urgency to descriptions, making it a valuable tool in narrative and descriptive writing. Remember to use "come flying" to add impact but avoid overuse in overly formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrive quickly

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more literal description of speed.

appear suddenly

Focuses on the abruptness of the arrival rather than the speed.

rush in

Implies hurried entry, often with a sense of urgency or excitement.

dart forward

Suggests a quick, linear movement in a specific direction.

burst onto the scene

Emphasizes a dramatic and energetic entrance.

spring up

Implies rapid development or emergence.

emerge rapidly

Highlights the swiftness of the process of becoming visible or known.

hurtle towards

Conveys high speed and a sense of potential danger or impact.

descend swiftly

Indicates a quick downward movement.

swoop down

Describes a rapid, graceful descent, often associated with birds or aircraft.

FAQs

How can I use "come flying" in a sentence?

You can use "come flying" to describe something or someone moving quickly or appearing suddenly. For example, "The door opened and she "rushed in"" or "Arrows "arrived quickly" during the battle".

What are some alternatives to "come flying"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "rush in", "dart forward", or "emerge rapidly" to convey a similar meaning to "come flying".

Is "come flying" too informal for professional writing?

While generally acceptable, "come flying" might be perceived as too informal in some professional contexts. Consider using a more precise alternative such as "arrive quickly" or "appear suddenly" for a more formal tone.

What does it mean when someone says something "came flying"?

It typically means that an object or person moved very quickly and forcefully, often unexpectedly. It emphasizes the speed and suddenness of the movement.