to be flown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be flown" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something being transported somewhere by air, for example: "The tropical flowers were to be flown from Hawaii to the mainland for the wedding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Even eggs have to be flown in.

The Economist

They used to be flown as weapons.

The Guardian

A replacement had to be flown in from Dublin.

The Economist

Food, fuel and equipment had to be flown in.

The Economist

"It needs to be flown a lot," he said.

The New York Times

He then ordered flags over the Capitol to be flown at half staff.

The New York Times

This became public when he had to be flown home after tripping and hurting himself.

The Economist

The bodies of the victims are to be flown to Guatemala.

The New York Times

They demanded a $1 million ransom and to be flown to Algeria.

The New York Times

Transfers The most urgent cases are supposed to be flown to the mainland within two weeks.

The Guardian

More victims' bodies are expected to be flown to Russia on Monday night.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be flown", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being transported and the reason for air transport, providing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be flew" as it's grammatically incorrect. The correct passive form is "to be flown". Also, ensure you're using the correct tense of "be" (is, was, will be) to match the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be flown" functions as a passive infinitive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject is the recipient of the action of flying, rather than the performer. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be flown" is a grammatically sound and versatile passive infinitive used to describe aerial transportation. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its consistent application across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While its neutral register makes it suitable for formal use, consider active alternatives for a more direct tone. Remember to avoid common errors like "to be flew", and leverage its passive construction to effectively convey the action of being transported by air.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be transported by air

Replaces "flown" with a more descriptive term, emphasizing the mode of transportation.

to be airlifted

Uses a more specific term for emergency air transport, often implying urgency.

to be carried by plane

Similar to "transported by air", providing an alternative description of air travel.

to be shipped via air

Focuses on the commercial aspect of air transport.

to be dispatched by air

Emphasizes the sending or forwarding of something by air.

to be airmailed

Specifically refers to sending mail by air.

to be conveyed aerially

A more formal way of saying "to be transported by air".

to be moved by aircraft

A general term for transportation using any type of aircraft.

to be routed by air

Highlights the logistical aspect of planning an air route.

to travel by air

Focuses on the act of traveling via air transport.

FAQs

How can I use "to be flown" in a sentence?

You can use "to be flown" to describe something that is transported by air. For example, "The supplies needed "to be flown" to the remote village".

What are some alternatives to "to be flown"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to be transported by air", "to be airlifted", or "to be shipped via air", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "to be flew" instead of "to be flown"?

No, "to be flew" is grammatically incorrect. The correct passive form of the verb "fly" is "to be flown".

What's the difference between "to be flown" and "to fly"?

"To be flown" is in the passive voice, indicating that something is being transported by air by someone or something else. "To fly" is in the active voice, meaning someone or something is performing the act of flying.