flying back home

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flying back home" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the action of returning to one's home by air travel. Example: "After a long trip, I am finally flying back home to see my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

She is flying back home.

The New Yorker

When they found out who the winner was, they knew they were flying back home.

The New York Times - Sports

It was such a cut-throat tournament and we could have been flying back home earlier".

The Guardian - Sport

Now twelve months had passed, and tomorrow I was flying back home.

The New Yorker

This is how the story goes: Ms. Rich was flying back home after seeing her sister.

The New York Times

The Web site of Turin-based La Stampa, which employs the journalist, Domenico Quirico, also said he was flying back home.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

But instead, they have been frozen out: All of their equipment has gone into cold storage, and at press time they were scheduled to return to Chile via ship before flying backing home in the United States.

Science Magazine

They then flew back home.

The Guardian - Sport

Aircraft manager suggests he fly back home.

The New Yorker

You could fly back home via Tashkent or Beijing.

The New York Times

He decides to fly back home, but on the way to the airport, changes his mind.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flying back home" when you want to specifically emphasize the mode of transportation is via airplane.

Common error

Don't use "flying back home" if the method of transportation is not by air. Instead, opt for a more general term like "traveling back home" if the mode is unspecified or varied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flying back home" functions as a gerund phrase, where "flying" acts as a verb transformed into a noun. It often appears as part of a larger verb phrase, describing an action in progress or a planned activity. Ludwig examples show it in contexts such as, "She is flying back home" or "I will be flying back home."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "flying back home" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe returning to one's residence via airplane. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for various forms of communication. When using the phrase, ensure that air travel is the specific mode of transportation. For broader contexts, alternatives such as "traveling back home" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fly back home

Uses the verb "fly" in the base form, describing the act of returning by plane.

flight back home

Uses the noun "flight", referring to the journey itself rather than the action of flying.

travelling back home

Replaces the specific mode of air travel with a general term for any means of transportation.

traveling back home

Similar to "travelling back home", but uses the American spelling.

flights back home

Plural form emphasizing multiple trips home

visiting back home

Focuses on the act of visiting, implying a temporary stay rather than a permanent return.

jets back home

Uses the verb "jets", which implies a very rapid return, usually by plane.

driving back home

Specifies road travel instead of air travel.

circling back home

Suggests a return to a starting point after a period of absence or a deviation from a direct route.

fluttering back home

Emphasizes a light, airy, or perhaps hurried return, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "flying back home" in a sentence?

You can use "flying back home" to describe someone's return journey by plane, as in, "After the conference, she is "flying back home" to her family."

What's a more general way to say "flying back home" if air travel isn't the focus?

If you want to be less specific about the mode of transport, consider using alternatives like "traveling back home" or simply "going back home".

Which is correct, "flying back home" or "fly back home"?

Both are correct, but they function differently. "Flying back home" is a gerund phrase (acting as a noun), while "fly back home" uses the verb in its base form, often as part of an infinitive. Example: "She is "flying back home"" vs. "I want to "fly back home" soon."

What does "flying back home" imply about the journey?

It implies that the person is returning to their permanent residence or a place they consider their home and that the primary mode of transportation is air travel.