was flown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was flown" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is the past tense form of the verb "to fly" and can be used in a variety of contexts, such as describing a past event or action. Here are some examples of how it can be used in a sentence: - The kite was flown by the children in the park. - The plane was flown by an experienced pilot. - The flag was flown at half-mast as a sign of respect. - The bird was flown to a nearby sanctuary for rehabilitation. - The banner was flown proudly at the protest rally. Overall, "was flown" is a versatile phrase that can be used to describe the act of flying, whether it be an object or a person. It is a commonly used phrase and is considered to be grammatically correct in written English.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was flown there.

The New York Times

She was flown to Detroit.

The New Yorker

The drug was flown in.

The New York Times

I was flown to England for treatment.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was flown to Egypt.

The New Yorker

Abayat was flown to Spain.

The New York Times - Magazine

Shortly after, Mohamed was flown to Rabat.

The Guardian

His body was flown home Wednesday.

The New York Times

At last he was flown out.

The Guardian

He was flown to Karachi this week.

The New York Times

But I was flown back to Cambridge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was flown", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what performed the action of flying. This passive construction requires a preceding or following explanation of the agent if it's not immediately obvious.

Common error

Avoid using "was flown" in contexts where the subject performing the action is unclear or missing. Always provide context or clarify who or what was responsible for the flight to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was flown" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being transported via air. As Ludwig AI indicates, it requires context to clarify the agent responsible for the flight. Examples show it used to describe people or objects being transported.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

22%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was flown" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to describe the aerial transportation of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific reporting. To maintain clarity, ensure the context or agent responsible for the flight is evident. Alternatives such as "was transported by air" or "was airlifted" offer nuanced variations. While frequently employed, writers should avoid ambiguous passive voice by explicitly stating who or what facilitated the flight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was transported by air

Emphasizes the mode of transportation, specifically mentioning 'air'.

was airlifted

Implies emergency transportation, usually for rescue or urgent delivery.

was conveyed by plane

Specifies 'plane' as the means of aerial transport.

was carried by air

A more general term for transportation via air, lacking the specific implication of flight.

was dispatched by aircraft

Highlights the sending or deployment aspect using an 'aircraft'.

was moved via aviation

Uses a more formal tone with 'aviation' to indicate air travel.

was piloted

Focuses on the act of piloting an aircraft, suitable when the subject is an aircraft.

undertook an aerial journey

Descriptive language highlighting the journey aspect of air travel.

completed an airborne mission

Suitable when referring to tasks done in the air.

experienced air travel

Focuses on the experience of traveling by air, less about the agency.

FAQs

How can I use "was flown" in a sentence?

Use "was flown" to describe something or someone transported by air. For example, "The package "was flown" to its destination" or "The patient "was flown" to a specialized hospital".

What are some alternatives to "was flown"?

Some alternatives include "was transported by air", "was airlifted", or "was conveyed by plane" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was flown" or "flew"?

Both can be correct, but they have different meanings. "Was flown" is passive, indicating something was transported by air. "Flew" is active, indicating someone or something performed the act of flying. For example, "The pilot flew the plane" versus "The plane "was flown" by the pilot".

What's the difference between "was flown" and "was transported"?

"Was transported" is a general term for movement from one place to another, while "was flown" specifically indicates that the transportation occurred via air. Something "was transported" by land, sea, or air, but if it "was flown", it definitely went by air.