fly along

USAGE SUMMARY

'fly along' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to express a sense of movement, either literal or figurative. For example, "We could feel the wind in our hair as we flew along on the rollercoaster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both stories fly along, and then comes the link: suddenly we're in a world of metaphysics and virology.

Independent

He manages to fly along with them and is entranced by a vision of freedom such as he has never known.

The Guardian - Film

"Of course, most of the Hmong wanted to fly along with me to Thailand, but they couldn't because we only had enough aircraft to lift the officers and family members," Vang Pao said.

The New York Times - Magazine

According to then-governor Jim Hunt, "You fly along and don't see much damage to the beach houses, and it's easy to think we didn't have much damage.

Wikipedia

And just think of how great you'll feel as you fly along in the zone, with smoother form, greater fitness, and a stronger, healthier, happier mind.

Huffington Post

A distinguishing trait of natural target stimuli be they conspecifics or prey is that they are likely to fly along continuous paths.

Biology Letters

If you typically fly along with a group, whether it's family or coworkers, chartering a flight my be another option that's economical.

WikiHow

"Well, he taught Whitehead to fly along with the Canadas.

The New York Times - Arts

When you fly along the Mediterranean today, what do you see below?

The New York Times

Westbound planes headed for runway 31R at Kennedy Airport usually fly along the coastline.

The New York Times

The corridors which jets fly along function much like lanes on a motorway.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fly along" to describe smooth and continuous movement or progression, whether literal (like a bird flying) or figurative (like a story progressing).

Common error

Avoid using "fly along" to describe stationary objects or situations. This phrase implies movement, so it wouldn't be appropriate to say "The house flies along the street."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "fly along" primarily functions as a verb of motion or progression. It indicates movement, either literal (like a plane flying) or figurative (like a story progressing). As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct and can be used in written English to express a sense of movement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fly along" is a versatile phrasal verb that conveys a sense of continuous and often rapid movement or progression, both literally and figuratively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, although more precise alternatives might be preferable in highly formal writing. Occurring frequently in news and media, the phrase suggests smooth, unobstructed progress, making it a vivid and engaging choice for describing movement. When considering alternatives, phrases like "move swiftly" or "progress smoothly" can offer similar meanings with subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sail along

Uses a nautical metaphor to describe easy and smooth progression.

zip along

Conveys a sense of quick and energetic movement.

move swiftly

Emphasizes the speed and quickness of movement.

streak along

Highlights the speed and the visual effect of moving quickly, like a streak of light.

advance rapidly

Implies a fast and noticeable forward movement or development.

glide effortlessly

Focuses on the ease and grace of the movement, implying little effort.

progress smoothly

Highlights the ease and lack of obstacles in making progress.

proceed apace

Emphasizes that something is moving forward at a consistent and often rapid rate.

keep pace with

Indicates matching the speed or progress of something else.

go together with

Suggests a harmonious or compatible relationship or progression.

FAQs

How can I use "fly along" in a sentence?

You can use "fly along" to describe literal movement, such as "Birds "fly along" the coastline during migration", or figurative movement, such as "The project seemed to "fly along" once we secured funding".

What are some alternatives to "fly along"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "move swiftly", "progress smoothly", or "glide effortlessly" as alternatives to "fly along".

Is "fly along" appropriate for formal writing?

While "fly along" is generally acceptable, it might be more suitable for neutral or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

What does it mean when a story "flies along"?

When a story "flies along", it means it progresses quickly and smoothly, keeping the reader engaged. This implies that the narrative is well-paced and easy to follow.