flew through

USAGE SUMMARY

"flew through" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It generally means to move through quickly, or to have finished something quickly. For example: "She flew through the exam and only took an hour to complete it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

O'Driscoll flew through it.

The Guardian - Sport

Ballroom chairs flew through the air.

The New York Times

Many italic thoughts flew through her mind.

The New Yorker

A turkey flew through our windshield.

The New York Times

Cellphones and handbags flew through the air.

The New York Times

I flew through tissue paper, cutting patterns.

The Guardian - Books

The meringue pie flew through the air.

The Guardian - Books

Cassini flew through the plumes many times.

The New York Times - Science

We flew through Copenhagen to Gdansk.

The New York Times - Travel

Stray bullets flew through the air.

The New York Times

Cars, body parts and broken glass flew through the air.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. "Flew through" can be used both literally (describing actual flight) and figuratively (describing rapid progress). Ensure the usage aligns with the intended meaning.

Common error

While versatile, "flew through" may sound too informal in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "progressed rapidly" or "advanced quickly" when a more serious tone is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flew through" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of moving quickly or progressing rapidly. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it describes both literal movement (e.g., a plane flying through the air) and figurative progress (e.g., completing a task swiftly).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "flew through" is a versatile verb phrase used to express rapid movement or swift completion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it may be too informal for highly formal or academic writing, where alternatives like "progressed rapidly" or "advanced quickly" might be more suitable. Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing whether to use "flew through" or a more formal equivalent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

breezed through

Similar to sailed through, this suggests ease and speed in completing something.

sailed through

Implies effortless progress, often used when something is completed with ease and without problems.

sped through

Highlights the quickness with which something was done or passed.

passed quickly through

Emphasizes moving from one point to another rapidly.

moved rapidly through

Emphasizes speed of movement, focusing on the motion rather than the ease.

raced through

Focuses on the speed and competition element, as if trying to finish something quickly.

progressed swiftly through

Highlights the pace of progress, particularly suitable for tasks or projects.

advanced quickly through

Emphasizes forward movement and rapid advancement.

navigated swiftly through

Suggests skillful movement, especially when overcoming obstacles.

sauntered through

Emphasizes moving from one point to another confidently and casually.

FAQs

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

You can use "flew through" to describe rapid movement or effortless completion. For example, "She "flew through" the exam" or "The bird "flew through" the open window".

What's a more formal alternative to "flew through"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "progressed rapidly", "advanced quickly", or "moved swiftly" instead of ""flew through"".

Is "flew through" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, ""flew through"" might be too informal for some academic writing. Evaluate the tone and audience to determine if a more formal alternative is necessary.

How does "flew through" differ from "sailed through"?

"Flew through" emphasizes speed and quickness, while "sailed through" suggests ease and lack of difficulty. You might say someone ""flew through"" a race, but "sailed through" a simple task.