is flown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is flown" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that something is being transported by air or is being displayed in the air, often referring to flags or aircraft. Example: "The national flag is flown at half-mast to honor the fallen soldiers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The plane is flown remotely.

The New Yorker

11 November: Kercher's body is flown home.

The Guardian

Even the lettuce is flown in from the homeland.

The New Yorker

Seasonal fish is flown in Thursday through Saturday from Japan.

The New York Times

He is flown around the country by A.A.U.

The New York Times - Magazine

11 November 2007: Kercher's body is flown home.

The Guardian

Mr Mullany is flown home on a life-support machine.

The Guardian

Delicate gear like ammunition, weapons and critical equipment is flown in.

The New York Times

In the Navy, he says, the flag is flown on a ship day and night.

The New Yorker

"I am proud when a Bahraini airliner is flown by a Bahraini crew.

The New York Times

The bomber is flown by a crew of two, the pilot and the mission commander.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is flown" to describe the display of a flag, ensure the context clearly indicates who or what entity is responsible for the action. For example: "The flag is flown daily at sunrise".

Common error

Avoid using "is flown" when the active voice is more appropriate and clearer. Instead of "The package is flown by the courier", consider "The courier flies the package", which is more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is flown" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence is receiving the action of being flown or transported by air. Ludwig AI confirms that the usage is correct. For example, "The flag is flown" indicates someone is raising the flag.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is flown" is a versatile passive construction primarily used to describe the act of transporting something by air or displaying a flag. As supported by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific reports. While generally neutral in tone, its formality can vary based on the context. Alternatives like "is transported by air" and ""is displayed"" can provide more explicit or nuanced meanings. When writing, consider whether the passive voice is the most effective choice or if an active construction would offer greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is transported by air

Replaces "flown" with a more explicit description of aerial transport.

is carried by plane

Specifies the mode of transport as a plane.

is airlifted

Implies urgent or necessary aerial transport.

is conveyed by air

A more formal way of saying something is transported by air.

is shipped via air

Highlights the shipping aspect of air transport.

is hoisted

Refers specifically to the act of raising a flag or banner.

is displayed

Focuses on the visual aspect of showing a flag or item.

is borne aloft

A more poetic and archaic way of saying something is carried in the air.

is conveyed aerially

Uses an adverb to emphasize the aerial nature of conveyance.

is moved by aircraft

Clearly states that an aircraft is the method of movement.

FAQs

How do I use "is flown" in a sentence?

Use "is flown" when describing something being transported via air or displayed on a flagpole. For example, "The equipment "is airlifted" to the remote base" or "The flag "is displayed" during national holidays".

What's the difference between "is flown" and "is transported by air"?

"Is flown" is a more concise way of saying "is transported by air", but the latter provides more explicit detail about the method of transport.

What can I say instead of "is flown" when referring to a flag?

When referring to a flag, you can use alternatives such as ""is displayed"", "is hoisted", or "is raised" depending on the specific action you want to describe.

Which is correct: "the package is flown to New York" or "the package flies to New York"?

"The package is flown to New York" is correct because it uses the passive voice to indicate that someone else is flying the package. "The package flies to New York" is grammatically incorrect unless the package itself has the ability to fly.