flown by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flown by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been transported or moved through the air, typically by an aircraft. Example: "The package was flown by a cargo plane to its destination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Time has flown by.

The New York Times

This summer has flown by!

Cornell University

The year has flown by.

Harvard University

The shuttle, flown by Cmdr.

The New York Times - Science

It really has flown by.

The Guardian - Sport

Three years have flown by.

The New York Times

This summer has certainly flown by!

Cornell University

Princeton flies by; Princeton has flown by.

Princeton University

The past few weeks have flown by!

Cornell University

The parenting years haven't flown by, actually.

The Washington Post

HALPERN--Harry. 2 years have flown by.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flown by" to clearly indicate the entity controlling or operating an aircraft or to express the rapid passage of time.

Common error

Avoid using "flown by" in active voice when you should use "flew". For example, instead of "The pilot was flown by the plane", say "The pilot flew the plane".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flown by" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that something has been moved through the air by an external agent or that time has passed quickly. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

32%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flown by" is a versatile phrase primarily used in passive constructions, denoting transportation via air or the swift passage of time. Grammatically sound and widely accepted, as indicated by Ludwig AI, it's prevalent across news, academic, and scientific domains. While "flown by" is considered neutral in register, avoiding its use in active voice is crucial to maintain grammatical correctness. Remember it is a versatile phrase that has its significance across multiple sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

piloted by

Focuses specifically on the act of piloting an aircraft, similar to "flown by" when referring to aircraft.

operated by

Emphasizes the action of controlling or managing something, analogous to the act of flying.

transported by

Highlights the act of being carried or moved, similar to the result of being "flown by".

time elapsed

Refers to the passing of time, mirroring the meaning of "flown by" in temporal contexts.

under the control of

Indicates the state of being managed or directed, similar to being flown by someone.

courses through

Describes the movement or passage through something, related to the concept of flying.

guided by

Focuses on the act of directing or leading, akin to the control implied in "flown by".

whizzed past

Suggests rapid movement, similar to the speed associated with flying.

navigated by

Stresses the act of steering or directing, analogous to piloting an aircraft.

managed by

Implies being controlled or overseen, similar to the direction involved in flying.

FAQs

How is "flown by" used to describe time?

When used to describe time, "flown by" means that a period of time has passed quickly or seemingly effortlessly. For example, "The years have "flown by" since we last met" indicates that a significant amount of time has passed quickly.

Can "flown by" be used in active voice?

No, "flown by" is typically used in passive voice constructions. In active voice, you would use "flew". For example, instead of "The plane was flown by the pilot", in active voice it would be "The pilot flew the plane".

What are some alternatives to using "flown by" to describe the passage of time?

Alternatives to "flown by" in temporal contexts include phrases like "elapsed", "passed quickly", or "gone by". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "time has flew by" instead of "time has flown by"?

No, "time has flew by" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "time has "flown by"". "Flown" is the past participle of "fly" and is required for the present perfect tense.