was flying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was flying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was happening in the past, particularly in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "As the sun set, the bird was flying gracefully across the sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I was flying along.

The New Yorker

She was flying.

The New Yorker

I was flying.

The New York Times

Spit was flying.

The New York Times - Sports

He was flying high.

The New York Times - Books

NASA was flying planes".

The New Yorker

His hair was flying.

The New Yorker

"Stuff was flying everywhere.

Independent

Stricker was flying high.

The New York Times - Sports

Seconds later, I was flying.

The New York Times - Travel

The flak was flying.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was flying" to describe a metaphorical situation (e.g., "was flying high"), ensure the context clearly indicates the intended meaning to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "was flying" when a simple past tense ("flew") is more appropriate. Use "was flying" to describe an ongoing action in the past, not a completed one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was flying" functions primarily as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an action of flying that was in progress at a specific time in the past. This construction emphasizes the duration or continuity of the action, as illustrated in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

4%

Huffington Post

4%

Less common in

TechCrunch

2%

BBC

2%

Los Angeles Times

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was flying" is a versatile and frequently used past continuous verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and serves to describe ongoing actions in the past, often setting the scene or providing context. While its usage is primarily neutral, awareness of its metaphorical extensions (e.g., "was flying high") is crucial for clarity. With a very common occurrence across authoritative news and media sources like The New York Times, understanding its nuances can significantly enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was soaring

Replaces 'flying' with a more evocative term for upward movement in the air.

was gliding

Emphasizes smooth, effortless movement through the air.

was airborne

Focuses on the state of being in the air, rather than the action of flying.

was piloting

Specifies that someone was controlling an aircraft.

was traveling by air

More formal and emphasizes the mode of transportation.

was escaping

Indicates a hurried departure or flight from a dangerous situation.

was fleeing

Implies running away from something, often in fear.

was rushing

Describes moving very quickly or hastily, but not necessarily in the air.

was hastening

A more formal and less common way of saying 'was rushing'.

was speeding

Implies moving faster than allowed or expected.

FAQs

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

You can use "was flying" to describe the action of traveling through the air in the past, for example: "The bird "was flying" over the lake when I saw it".

What does it mean when someone says, "He was flying high"?

When someone says "He "was flying high"", it usually means he was experiencing great success or happiness.

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

Both "was flying" and "flew" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Flew" is the simple past tense and describes a completed action, while "was flying" describes an ongoing action in the past. For example, "I flew to Paris last week" vs. "I "was flying" over the Alps when I saw a rainbow".

What are some synonyms for "was flying"?

Some synonyms for "was flying", depending on the context, include "was soaring", "was gliding", or "was airborne".