it flew

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it flew" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of something moving through the air, typically referring to a bird, an aircraft, or an object that has been thrown. Example: "As the bird took off from the branch, it flew gracefully into the clear blue sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It flew in.

Independent

It flew in 1964.

The New York Times - Science

It flew beautifully.

The New York Times

It flew wide.

The Guardian - Sport

It flew straight back to the hive.

The New York Times

"It flew into a window, I think".

The New Yorker

It flew to me, she told him.

The New Yorker

It flew 70 percent of refueling missions.

The New York Times

It flew and flew well.

The Guardian

It flew by, they recalled.

The New York Times - Style

From then on, it flew.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it flew" to describe the movement of objects through the air, such as birds, airplanes, or projectiles. It can also be used metaphorically to describe the rapid passage of time or the quick success of something.

Common error

Avoid using "it flew" in passive constructions where the subject performing the action is unclear or omitted. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates what entity is performing the act of flying.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it flew" functions as a simple past tense verb phrase. It describes a completed action of flying. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it flew" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe the act of flying or the swift passage of time. As confirmed by Ludwig, its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Academia underscores its broad applicability. While primarily functioning as a simple past tense verb phrase, its register remains generally neutral, making it suitable for diverse writing contexts. Common errors to avoid include misusing it in passive constructions or using incorrect past participles. Overall, this phrase offers a concise and effective way to convey movement or rapid progression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it soared

Emphasizes graceful and powerful flight, often upwards.

it glided

Suggests smooth, effortless movement through the air.

it took flight

Focuses on the beginning of the flight action.

it winged its way

A more poetic or literary way of saying it flew.

it darted

Indicates a quick, sudden movement through the air.

it zoomed

Implies a fast, often energetic movement.

it rushed by

Refers to time passing quickly.

it sped past

Similar to 'rushed by', emphasizing speed.

it vanished

Suggests a sudden disappearance, as if flying away.

it was airborne

Focuses on the state of being in the air.

FAQs

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

You can use "it flew" to describe something moving through the air, like "The bird soared gracefully as "it flew" over the trees".

What verbs are similar to "it flew"?

Similar verbs include "it glided", "it soared", or "it darted", depending on the specific type of movement you want to convey.

Can "it flew" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "it flew" can be used metaphorically to describe how quickly time passed, as in "The years "it flew by" in an instant."

Is it correct to say "it has flew"?

No, the correct past participle of "fly" is "flown". Therefore, the correct phrasing is "it has flown".