fly by

USAGE SUMMARY

"fly by" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of something moving quickly by, or to indicate a short moment of time in a person's life. For example, "The years have flown by since we graduated high school."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The minutes fly by.

The New York Times

… The years fly by.

The New York Times

"We've let it fly by".

The New York Times - Sports

Our days fly by.

University of California, Berkeley

You'll fly by it.

The New York Times - Arts

Events fly by.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"He's no fly-by-night charlatan.

The New York Times

What is a "fly-by-wire" plane?

The New York Times

It's not a fly-by-night operator".

The New York Times

Fly-by-wire is smoother and safer.

The Guardian - Tech

"This is not fly-by-night stuff".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fly by" to vividly describe the rapid passage of time or the swift movement of objects. For example, 'The years seemed to fly by as we raised our children.'

Common error

Avoid using "fly by" to describe stationary objects or situations. The phrase implies movement or the passing of time, so it's unsuitable for static descriptions. For example, don't say 'The house flew by' unless you're describing a dream or surreal scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fly by" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, describing something that passes quickly or time that elapses rapidly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable part of a sentence. Examples include 'The years fly by' and 'A car flew by'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fly by" is a versatile verb phrase primarily used to describe the rapid passage of time or the swift movement of an object. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s a correct and usable phrase in English. While generally neutral in tone, it's most commonly found in News & Media and academic contexts. While grammatically sound, it's important to avoid using it in static contexts. Consider alternatives like "whizz past" or "elapse quickly" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase is widely understood and provides a vivid way to express speed and brevity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whizz past

Focuses on the speed and sound of movement, implying something passing very quickly.

zip past

Similar to 'whizz past' but emphasizes the quickness and ease of the movement.

flash by

Highlights the brief and sudden appearance of something as it moves.

speed past

Directly indicates a high rate of motion during the passing.

race past

Conveys a sense of urgency and competition in the movement.

hurtle by

Suggests a forceful and uncontrolled movement at high speed.

dash past

Implies a quick and energetic movement with a specific destination in mind.

elapse quickly

Shifts the focus to the rapid passage of time rather than physical movement.

pass rapidly

Similar to 'elapse quickly', but emphasizes the swift passing of events or time periods.

slip away

Focuses on the unnoticed and effortless way time or opportunities disappear.

FAQs

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

"Fly by" can describe the quick passing of time or the rapid movement of an object. For instance, "The weeks "flew by" as we prepared for the event" or "A bird "flew by" the window".

What's a good alternative to "fly by" when talking about time?

When referring to time, consider using alternatives like "pass quickly", "elapse rapidly", or "slip away" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "fly by" appropriate for formal writing?

While "fly by" is widely understood, it may be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider more precise alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

What does it mean to say something "flew by" someone?

When something "flew by" someone, it means they missed it or didn't pay attention to it as it happened. For example, "The opportunity "flew by" because I wasn't prepared".