time has flown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "time has flown" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the passage of time, for example: "It's hard to believe that I started this job five years ago - time has flown!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Time has flown by.

The New York Times

'Time has flown,' says the doctor.

The Guardian - Books

Hard to believe how fast the time has flown by!

University of California, Berkeley

In many ways the time has flown by.

The Guardian

Before you know it, time has flown by".

The Guardian - Music

"It's amazing how the time has flown by," Gordon said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

I noticed that the room had got dark at some point, and I thought time had flown, the sun had set, but it was just clouds, nearly black clouds that wouldn't go away anytime soon.

The New Yorker

My editor at the time had flown to Seattle to see the game or, at least, various lavish concept artworks—up close, and I was handed the job of transcribing all the audio.

Vice

Every first lady in modern times has flown on government planes with a sizable security detail, and it is hard to pinpoint the cost to taxpayers.

The New York Times

But in the case of Dr Neal Evenhuis of the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii, it's a fun time having flies.

The Guardian

Time sure has flown since 1990, when Smith's life "got flipped, turned upside down," as the insanely catchy theme song goes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "time has flown" to express a sense of surprise or感慨 regarding the quick passage of time. It's particularly effective when reflecting on a period that seemed shorter than it was.

Common error

While "time has flown" is acceptable in many contexts, it might sound too informal for academic papers or business reports. Consider using more formal alternatives like "time has elapsed rapidly" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "time has flown" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe the subjective experience of time passing quickly. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "time has flown" is a common and grammatically correct idiom used to express the feeling that time has passed quickly. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for use in writing. While it's suitable for various contexts, it's essential to consider formality, opting for more formal alternatives in academic or business settings. Remember that this expression primarily conveys a subjective experience of time's passage, often implying surprise or感慨. Consider variations like "time has passed quickly" or "how time flies" to adjust the nuance as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Time has passed quickly

Changes the verb 'flown' to 'passed', offering a slightly more literal description of time's movement.

Time has slipped away

Uses 'slipped away' to emphasize the unnoticed and gradual nature of time's passing.

Time has raced by

Employs 'raced by' to convey a sense of speed and urgency in the passage of time.

Time has gone by so fast

Adds 'so fast' for emphasis, making the quick passage of time more explicit.

How time flies

Expresses surprise or感慨 about how quickly time passes, often used rhetorically.

The years have flown

Shifts the focus to 'years' to emphasize a longer period of time passing quickly.

It feels like no time has passed

Expresses the feeling that very little time has elapsed, contrary to the actual duration.

The days have blurred together

Implies that time has passed quickly and without distinct events, making it difficult to remember.

Time has evaporated

Uses 'evaporated' to suggest that time has disappeared quickly and completely.

The clock ticked quickly

Refers to clock and how fast time goes, indirectly mentioning that time has passed.

FAQs

How can I use "time has flown" in a sentence?

You can use "time has flown" to express how quickly a period has passed, such as, "I can't believe it's already been five years since we graduated; "time has flown"!"

What's a more formal alternative to "time has flown"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "time has elapsed rapidly", "time has passed quickly", or "the period has progressed swiftly" instead of "time has flown".

Is it grammatically correct to say "time has flown"?

Yes, "time has flown" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to indicate that time has passed quickly from a past point to the present.

What does "time has flown" imply about the speaker's perception?

When someone says "time has flown", it usually implies that they were either enjoying themselves, very busy, or not paying close attention to the passing of time, making it seem shorter than it actually was.