flown

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "flown" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a past tense form of the verb "to fly," which means to move through the air or to travel quickly. An example sentence using the word "flown" is: "The plane had flown across the sky before it eventually landed at its destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Ask yourself: if I were a Chinese spy, why wouldn't I have flown directly into Beijing?

The New York Times

"When you have jets being flown up the English Channel, when you have submarines in the North Sea, it looks to me like it's warming up".

The Guardian

Five police officers and a press photographer have been injured after a riot erupted in the grounds of Belfast city hall following a council vote to cut the number of days the Union flag will be flown there.

The Guardian

Like him, the other detainees had been snatched by US soldiers from Iraq's towns and cities and flown to a place that had already become infamous: a foreboding desert fortress that would shape the legacy of the US presence in Iraq.

The Guardian

We've flown here on a 10-seater charter plane as part of a tour organized by the Hotel Tower in Georgetown, Guyana's capital city.

The Guardian - Travel

The troops from 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment were flown into Arbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, last week to prepare for a possible deployment of Chinook helicopters on a mission to save families from a little-known religious sect who were stuck on a mountainside.

The Guardian

By the time his three-and-a-half hours in the middle had come to an end, caught in the deep, some 24 fours and two sixes had flown from the bat.

The Guardian - Sport

All they knew was that he had some connection to Liam Fox, the defence secretary who had flown out for a weekend to make a speech to a private local foundation.

The Guardian

Speaking to the Guardian as he was about to board another plane, Gunness said150 metric tons of aid was being flown to Jordan from where the agency hopes it will then be driven to Gaza.

The Guardian

Sinn Féin and SDLP councillors accepted a compromise motion from the centrist Alliance party that the flag be flown only on dedicated days such as the Queen's birthday.

The Guardian

New Zealand hoki carries the coveted logo of sustainability - but has to be flown unsustainably halfway round the world to satisfy the voracious needs of British canneries and supermarket shelves.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flown" when you want to describe a completed action of flying, particularly in the context of travel or transportation. For example, "The package was flown to its destination overnight."

Common error

Avoid using "flown" in place of "flew" when describing a single, completed act of flying in the past. "Flew" is the simple past tense (e.g., "He flew to Paris yesterday"), while "flown" is the past participle used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "He has flown to Paris many times").

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "flown" is as a past participle of the verb "fly". It is used with auxiliary verbs (like "have", "has", "had", "is", "was", etc.) to form perfect tenses or passive voice constructions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "flown" is the past participle of the verb "fly", indicating a completed action of aerial movement. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it is grammatically correct and frequently used. With a very common frequency, it primarily appears in News & Media. To avoid errors, remember that "flown" is the past participle, used with auxiliary verbs, while "flew" is the simple past tense. Consider using alternatives like "took flight" for varied expression. Use "flown" to describe completed actions of flying or transportation, as demonstrated in numerous real-world examples. "Flown" can also be used metaphorically to convey the passage of time or the spread of information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took flight

Emphasizes the act of beginning to fly or moving quickly, similar to "flown" but focuses on the start of the journey.

was transported by air

Focuses on the means of transportation rather than the action of flying itself. Implies a passive experience of being carried.

traveled by plane

Specifies the mode of transport as a plane, shifting the focus from the act of flying to the means of travel.

made a flight

Highlights the completion of an aerial journey. Less emphasis is on the manner of passage and more on the fact that a flight occurred.

winged its way

A more poetic and figurative way of saying flown, implying graceful or effortless movement.

glided

Suggests a smooth and effortless movement through the air, focusing on the manner of flying.

soared

Implies a high and majestic flight, often used metaphorically to describe achieving great heights.

took to the skies

Focuses on the act of ascending into the air, rather than the completed journey. It's more about the initial action of flight.

were airborne

Highlights the state of being in the air, emphasizing the condition rather than the action.

raced

Emphasizes speed and swiftness of movement, which can be associated with flying but doesn't necessarily involve air travel.

FAQs

How is "flown" correctly used in a sentence?

"Flown" is the past participle of "fly" and is used with auxiliary verbs like "have", "has", or "had" to indicate a completed action. For example, "The pilot has "flown" this route many times" or "The flag was "flown" at half-mast".

What's the difference between "flew" and "flown"?

"Flew" is the simple past tense of "fly", used for single, completed actions in the past (e.g., "The bird flew away"). "Flown" is the past participle, used with auxiliary verbs to indicate a completed action (e.g., "The bird had "flown" away before I arrived").

Can "flown" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "flown" can be used metaphorically to describe how time has passed quickly or how something has been transported rapidly. For instance, "The time has "flown" by" or "Rumors have "flown" around the office".

What are some synonyms for "flown" in the context of travel?

In the context of travel, synonyms for "flown" include "traveled by air", "was transported by air", or "took flight". These alternatives can be used to add variety to your writing.