flew away

USAGE SUMMARY

"flew away" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone flying or moving quickly away from a certain location or situation. Example: The birds flew away as soon as the loud noise startled them.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They flew away".

The New York Times

The egg flew away.

The New Yorker

The bird flew away.

The New York Times

Then flew away.

The New Yorker

But he flew away.

The New York Times

When they flew away, he laughed.

The New Yorker

But the helicopter flew away.

The New York Times

You flew away so fast.

The New York Times

Birds flew away in a frenzy.

The New York Times

"I flew away," Mr. Kadimi said.

The New York Times

She fluttered about and eventually flew away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flew away" to describe a quick or sudden departure, especially when something literally takes to the air. It's also suitable for metaphorical uses, like opportunities disappearing.

Common error

Avoid using "flew away" when a more precise verb like 'disappeared', 'evaporated', or 'departed' would better convey the intended meaning. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or imprecise.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "flew away" functions as the past tense of 'fly away', indicating a completed action of moving away through flight. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use both literally, describing birds or aircraft, and metaphorically, representing missed opportunities or disappearing feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flew away" is a very common phrasal verb used to describe a departure, typically involving flight, as validated by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts, demonstrating its versatility. While generally neutral in tone, its metaphorical use should be considered carefully for clarity. It is generally used to describe something or someone flying or moving quickly away from a certain location or situation. Remember to choose more descriptive alternatives, such as "departed quickly" or "vanished swiftly", when greater precision is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took flight

Highlights the action of beginning to fly, often used for birds or aircraft.

disappeared in flight

Emphasizes that the disappearance occurred while flying.

departed quickly

Focuses on the speed of leaving, without necessarily implying flight.

darted away

Suggests a sudden and quick movement away, often due to fear or surprise.

vanished swiftly

Emphasizes the sudden disappearance more than the act of moving away.

soared off

Implies a graceful and effortless departure, typically by flying.

escaped rapidly

Highlights the act of escaping from a situation or place with speed.

sped off

Conveys a rapid departure by any means of transportation, not just flight.

ascended quickly

Focuses on upward movement combined with speed, implying a rise into the air.

rose and left

Combines the act of rising with the general action of leaving, not necessarily involving flight.

FAQs

How can I use "flew away" in a sentence?

You can use "flew away" to describe the literal act of flying, as in 'The bird "flew away"', or metaphorically, as in 'My chance "flew away"'.

What are some alternatives to using "flew away"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "departed quickly", "vanished swiftly", or "took flight".

Is it correct to say 'flown away' instead of "flew away"?

While 'flown away' is grammatically correct, it is used as the past participle form. "Flew away" is the simple past tense. Use "flew away" to describe an action that happened in the past, and 'flown away' with auxiliary verbs like 'has' or 'had'.

What's the difference between "flew away" and "flew off"?

The phrases "flew away" and "flew off" are very similar and often interchangeable. "Flew off" may imply a more abrupt or immediate departure.