it flees

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it flees" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is escaping or running away, often in a metaphorical sense, such as time or opportunities. Example: "As the deadline approaches, it flees from my grasp, leaving me anxious and unprepared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

As it flees toward its exit from a billion-dollar experiment gone horribly wrong, Gruner & Jahr, a division of the German media giant Bertelsmann, may salvage a few dollars, if not its dignity, by selling Inc.

The New York Times

It depicted the NRA's shield with a departing American eagle missing from its heart declaring "I quit" as it flees in disgust.

The Guardian

In the other flat, the toys are alive: at one point a little tank tips over on its back in its eagerness to greet her, and when Coraline sets it upright, it flees under the bed in embarrassment.

The Guardian - Books

Sometimes it flees the city and leads expeditions to the Catskills for some serious nebula watching.

The New York Times

The bonefish follows the fly for a few feet, then suddenly flushes, creating a 25-yard-long wake as it flees.

Forbes

It flees with a whistling snort when it detects danger.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

It fled when shots were fired.

The Guardian

The aircraft survived the shooting, though it fled.

The New York Times

By some accounts, it fled after being given orders to strafe opposition supporters.

The Economist

When you think it fled, it may have but become transfigured into some still subtler form.

The New Yorker

The bear, black and smallish but still formidable, did not charge but neither did it flee.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it flees" to add a sense of urgency or drama to your writing, especially when describing abstract concepts like time or opportunities slipping away.

Common error

Avoid using "it flees" in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "it runs away" or "it escapes" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it flees" primarily functions as a subject-verb construction, where "it" is the subject and "flees" is the intransitive verb. It describes the action of escaping or running away from something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it flees" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to describe something escaping or running away. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's best suited for neutral to formal contexts, such as news articles or descriptive writing, where you want to add a sense of urgency or drama. While "it flees" is not incorrect in informal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "it runs away" or "it escapes". Remember that source quality and usage consistency contribute to the effectiveness and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it runs away

Replaces "flees" with a more common and less formal verb, focusing on the action of escaping.

it escapes

Emphasizes the successful act of getting free from a constraint or danger.

it bolts

Suggests a sudden and rapid departure, often due to fear or surprise.

it vanishes

Implies a disappearance, where the subject not only moves away but also becomes unseen.

it takes flight

Conveys the imagery of something soaring or ascending as it departs, often used metaphorically.

it retreats

Indicates a withdrawal from a confrontation or advance, suggesting a strategic or defensive maneuver.

it disappears

Similar to "vanishes", but can also imply a gradual fading away rather than a sudden escape.

it absconds

Suggests a secret and often unlawful departure, typically to avoid capture or prosecution.

it evades

Highlights the act of avoiding something, often pursuit or capture, through cleverness or agility.

it clears out

Indicates a comprehensive departure from a place, often implying that others are leaving as well.

FAQs

How can I use "it flees" in a sentence?

You can use "it flees" to describe something escaping or rapidly moving away. For example, "As the deadline approaches, it flees from my grasp."

What can I say instead of "it flees"?

You can use alternatives like "it runs away", "it escapes", or "it vanishes" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it flees" or "it is fleeing"?

Both "it flees" and "it is fleeing" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "It flees" implies a general action or characteristic, while "it is fleeing" describes an action happening in the present moment.

When is it appropriate to use "it flees" over "it runs away"?

"It flees" is more formal and literary than "it runs away". Use "it flees" when you want to create a more dramatic or evocative effect.